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*  THE    PLAN    OF    UNION: 

OR 

A  HISTORY 

JE  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  AND  CONGREGATIONAL 
CHURCHES  OF  THE  WESTERN  RESERVE; 

WITH  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

EAELY  MISSIONARIES. 

BY  WILLIAM  S.  KENNEDY, 

AUTHOR   OF    **  MESSIANIC   PROPHBCIES,"    &C. 


"  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  Stand  ye  in  the  ways,  and  see,  and  ask  for  the  old  paths, 
where  is  the  good  way,  and  walk  therein,  and  ye  shall  find  rest  for  your  souls." 

Ji 


HUDSON,  0. 
PENTAGON    STEAM    PRESS. 

1856. 


fSS.JB/ 


4 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1856,  by 

WILLIAM  S.  KENNEDY, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court,  for  the  Northern 

District  of  Ohio. 


^ffr/^^ 


PREFACE 


The  present  can  only  be  understood  through  a  knowledge  of 
the  past;  and  only  by  understanding  both  past  and  present 
can  we  rightly  conduct  the  future.  Where  valuable  institu- 
tions have  been  laboriously  erected,  and  afterward  have  fallen 
into  disrepute,  and  been  misunderstood  and  reprobated,  and 
their  origin  aspersed,  there  is  no  better  way  to  learn  the  truth, 
and  do  justice  to  them,  than  to  study  well  their  origin  and 
growth.  To  furnish  facilities  for  such  a  study  of  the  churches 
and  ecclesiasticism  of  the  Reserve,  as  well  as  to  perpetuate  the 
memory  of  good  men,  and  of  events  connected  with  the  forma- 
tion of  our  social  and  religious  life,  is  the  object  of  this  little 
book. 

The  materials  here  wrought  into  narrative  have  been  collected 
from  sources  too^varied  to  admit  of  detailed  reference  to  au- 
thorities. The  Connecticut  Evangelical  Magazine  and  a  file  of 
the  Ohio  Observer,  the  journals  and  memories  of  early  mission- 

(iii) 


iv  Preface. 

aries  and  pioneers,  and  the  records  of  churches  and  presbyte- 
ries, are  the  general  sources  from  which  I  have  drawn. 

The  author  can  not  hope  that  this  first  effort  to  write  a  re- 
ligious history  of  the  Reserve  is,  in  all  respects,  perfect ;  but 
his  aim  has  been  to  give  the  facts  in  all  cases;  and  such  cor- 
rections as  may  be  properly  suggested  to  him,  shall  be  carefully 
registered,  and  regarded  in  a  future  edition,  should  there  be  a 
demand  for  it.  That  prejudiced  partisans  and  misinformed 
outsiders  will  object  to  many  things  here  stated,  the  writer 
must  expect.  But  time  and  candor  will  verify  the  record,  and 
truth  will  prevail. 


CONTENTS. 


PART    I 


CHAP.  I.     Early  Settlement  of  the  Reserve.  7 

CHAP.  II.   First  Missionary  Efforts U 

Uev.  Wm.Wick ^4 

llev.  Joseph  Badger 18 

Kev.  E.  F.  Chapin 23 

Rev.  Thomas  Ilobbins 24 

CHAP.  III.  Remarkable  Revivals 26 

CHAP.  IV.  Presbyterian  Missionaries 35 

Rev.  N.  Pettiiiger 3G 

Rev.  James  Boyd 3(5 

Rev.  Abraham  Scott 37 

Rev.-s.  James  Scott  and  J.  Leslie 40 

Revs.  John  Beer  and  John  Bruce 41 

Rev.  Thomas  Barr 41 

CHAP.  V.  Increase  of  New  England  Missionaries 55 

Rev.  David  Bacon 55 

Rev.  N.  B.  Derrow 56 

Rev.  Giles  H.  Cowles 57 

Rev.  John  Field 60 

Rev.  John  Seward * 60 

Rev.  Harvey  Coe C3 

Rev.  Simeon  Woodruff C6 

Rev.  William  Ilanford "2 

Rev.  Lutlicr  Humphrey 76 

Rev.  Joseph  Treat 77 

Rev.  Caleb  Pitkin 79 

Statistical  Table  of  Ministers  and  churches  down  to  1836.. 82 

Statistics  and  notes  of  churches  down  to  1836 94 

Later  Etatistics  down  to  1852 130 


CONTSNT», 

PAKT  II. 

CHAP.  I.     Ecclesiasticism 141 

Plan  of  Union 150 

Organization  of  Churches 155 

CHAP.  II.  Organization  of  Presbyteries  and  Synod 160 

Presbytery  of  Grand  lliver 168 

Articles   to  regulate  Grand  River  Presbytery 169 

Confession  of  Faith  of  Grand  lliver  Presbytery 172 

Articles  to  regulate  churches  of  G.  R.  Presbytery 175 

Presbytery  of  Huron 180 

Organization  of  the  Western  Reserve  Synod 182 

CHAP.  III.  Congregationalism  against  the  Union 186 

The  Oberlin  Movement 196 

Esquire  Hudson 204 

Congrogationatism  and  the  Presbyterian  Excision 205 

Congregational  State  Conference  of  Ohio 209 

Huron  Conference 213 

CHAP.  IV.  Presbyterian  Assembly  against  the  Union.. 221 

The  Excision 222 

CHAP.  V.  Couclu^iion  of  Ecclesiasticism 228 

CH.IP.  VI.  Educational  Measures  and  Institutions 233 

Western  Reserve  College 236 

Oberlin  Collegiate  Institute 244 

CHAP.  VII.  Benevolent  Operations 252 

Missionary  Society  of  Connecticut 252 

American  Home  Missionary  Society 255 

Wes.  Res.  Branch  of  the  American  Education  Society. ..256 
Wes.  Res.  Agency  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M 259 


EauATA. — On  page  243,  ninth  line  from  bottom,  for  "compressire'* 
read  "comprehensive  ;"  and  in  the  eighth  line  from  bottom  of  samo 
page,  for  "porgress"  read  **progress." 


PART  FIRST 


EARLY  MISSIONARY  EFFORTS, 

AND 

PLANTING   OF    THE   CHUECHES 


"The  names  and  memories  of  the  Just 
Smell  sweet,  and  blossom  in  the  dust." 


1* 


CHAPTER   I 


EARLY    SETTLEMENT    OF    THE    CONNECTICUT 
RESERVE. 

The  Religious  History  of  a  people  can  not  be  fully  under- 
stood without  some  knowledge  of  their  origin,  social  character, 
and  aims.  This  is  pre-eminently  true  of  communities  com- 
posed of  various  and  heterogeneous  elements. 

The  Western  Reserye,  or  Connecticut  Reservation,  occupy- 
ing the  northern  and  eastern  portion  of  Ohio;  extending  from 
Lake  Erie,  fifty  miles  south,  upon  an  average,  and  from  the 
Pennsylvania  line,  westward,  about  one  hundred  and  twenty 
miles  3  was  mainly  colonized  by  NewEnglanders  :  yet  the  pop- 
ulation embraced  enough  of  the  more  southern  element,  gene- 
rally called  the  Pennsylvania  or  Virginia  type  of  society,  to 
produce  some  marked  social  and  religious  features,  wholly  un- 
like the  New  England  character. 

The  marriage  thus  consummated  between  the  Pennamite  and 
the  Yankee,  uniting  the  shrewd  enterprise  of  the  latter  to  the 
patient  industry  of  the  former,  produced  that  unsurpassed  en- 
ergy, enterprise,  and  intelligence,  which,  notwithstanding  its 

7 


8  The    Plan    of    Union. 

moderate  natural  resources,  have  given  Northern  Ohio  a  pros- 
perity and  prominence  unsurpassed  by  any  region  of  equal  ex- 
tent in  the  whole  West. 

At  the  time  settlements  began  to  be  formed  in  this  region, 
there  were  no  roads  west  of  Buffalo,  and  few  boats  upon  Lake 
Erie.  The  immigrants  were  obliged  to  work  their  way  through 
the  forests,  and  over  the  rivers  and  marshes  of  the  intervening 
wilderness,  as  best  they  could. 

The  first  settlement  in  Northern  Ohio  grew  out  of  a  survey- 
ing party,  sent  out  from  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts,  in 
1796,  by  the  New  England  Association  that  had  purchased 
this  Reservation.  The  party  arrived  at  Conneaut  on  the  Fourth 
of  July,  and  celebrated  the  national  anniversary  in  such  patri- 
otic fashion  as  circumstances  permitted.  Their  muskets,  though 
light  artillery,  awoke  a  new  era  in  the  history  of  the  region, 
and  introduced  the  spirit  of  Seventy-six. 

The  surveyors  were  soon  followed  by  Judge  James  Kings- 
bury, with  his  family,  seeking  a  home  in  the  wilderness.  Elijah 
Gunn  and  a  Mr.  Stiles,  whose  families  had  accompanied  the  sur- 
veyors, remained,  after  the  latter  returned,  in  the  Fall  of  ninety- 
six,  and  formed  the  first  settlements  upon  the  Lake  Shore. 

About  the  same  time  that  Mr.  Kingsbury  settled  at  Conne- 
aut and  Mr.  Stiles  at  Cleveland,  Messrs.  Young,  Walcot,  and 
Hillman  located  at  Youngstown,  near  the  south-east  corner  of 
the  Reserve.  These  men  came  from  Pittsburg,  and  thus 
Pennsylvanians  and  New  Englanders  planted  their  settlements, 
in  the  same  year,  upon  different  parts  of  the  territory. 

Each  of  the  little  colonies  received  yearly  accessions.  But 
as  every  family  of  adventurers  was  anxious  to  locate   upon 


Early    Settlement.  9 

lands  purchased  in  different  parts  of  the  Reserve,  the  immi- 
grants scattered  themselves  over  all  the  region  east  of  the  Cuy- 
ahoga, and  that  whole  territory  was  settled  almost  simultane- 
ously, though  slowly. 

This  increased  the  difficulty  of  establishing  religious  institu- 
tions, and  maintaining  public  worship,  and  greatly  increased  the 
privations,  dangers,  and  hardships  of  the  colonists. 

The  two  routes,  from  Buffalo  and  Pittsburg,  continued  to  be 
traversed  by  immigrants,  most  of  those  from  New  England 
and  New  York  taking  the  northern  route ;  though  some  New 
Englanders  took  the  southern  way,  and  mingled  with  those 
who  came  from  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia. 

We  can  not  here  delay  to  recount  the  privations,  hardships, 
and  sufferings  encountered  by  the  pioneers,  both  on  the  jour- 
ney and  after  reaching  their  destination.  They  were  such  as 
adventurers  into  solitary  and  uncultivated  wildernesses  always 
experience.  Toil,  exposure,  hunger,  contests  with  wild  beasts 
and  Indians,  the  disadvantages  of  isolation,  absence  of  roads, 
and  destitution  of  all  the  mechanical  conveniences  found  in  old 
settlements,  and,  worse  than  all,  in  the  estimation  of  many 
pious  adventurers,  the  absence  of  schools,  churches,  and  all 
that  adorns  a  civilized  and  Christian  country,  entered  into  the 
trials  of  these  pioneers. 

In  the  year  1800,  a  census  was  taken,  which  gave  a  popula- 
tion of  1144.  "  As  yet,"  writes  the  Rev.  John  Seward,  from 
whose  valuable  ''Recollections"  quotations  shall  be  frequently 
made,  "  no  law,  civil  or  military,  was  known,  but  every  one 
proceeded  according  to  his  own  views  of  right  and  wrong ;  and 
less  difficulty  was  experienced,  in  this  state  of  things,  than 


10  The    Plan    of    Union. 

might  have  been  expected."  In  1800,  the  whole  Reserve  was 
formed  into  a  county,  called  Trumbull ;  justices'  commissions 
were  issued  to  several  men  in  different  parts  of  the  region,  and 
quarterly  courts  appointed  at  Warren,  the  county  seat.  Here, 
also,  was  held  the  first  election,  in  the  Autumn  of  1800,  to 
choose  a  Representative  to  the  Territorial  Legislature. 


CHAPTER   II 


EARLY  MISSIONARY  EFFORTS. 

Amongst  the  immigrants  who  settled  the  Reserve  were 
many  pious  people,  both  from  New  England  and  Pennsylvania, 
who  regarded  the  destitution  of  religious  privileges  amongst 
their  severest  trials;  and  who,  from  the  first,  cherished  the 
hope  of  soon  building  up  churches  upon  the  new  territory. 
Nor  were  the  churches  of  the  East  forgetful  of  their  brethren, 
scattered  over  western  wilds,  "like  sheep  having  no  shepherd." 

Hence,  as  early  as  the  fall  of  1800,  we  find  two  ministers 
in  the  field;  the  one,  Rev.  "William  Wick,  a  Presbyterian,  belong- 
ing to  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg ;  the  other,  Rev.  Joseph  Badger, 
a  Congregationalist,  sent  out  by  the  Missionary  Society  of 
Connecticut. 

These  men,  the  ministerial  pioneers,  and  true  fathers  of  the 
Church  of  the  Reserve,  represented  the  two  types  of  society, 
social  and  religious,  that  were  here  brought  together.  And 
happily,  both  the  people  and  the  ministers  were  free  enough 
from  all  clannish  and  partisan  sentiments  and  feelings,  to  unite 
heartily  both  in  their  social  and  religious  enterprises.     Mingled 

(11) 


12  The    Plan    of    Union. 

together  as  were  the  Yankees  and  Pennamites,  Congregation- 
alists  and  Presbyterians,  though  remembering  their  ancestry, 
and  cherishing  their  peculiar  sentiments  and  attachments,  in 
the  true  spirit  of  patriotic  colonists,  and  charitable  Christians, 
they  suppressed  their  individual  preferences  far  enough,  to 
unite  cordially  in  forming  a  new  society,  and  harmonious  though 
peculiar  churches. 

In  their  isolation  and  loneliness,  the  Christians  of  the  Reserve 
were  too  glad  to  meet  any  with  whom  they  could  hold  Chris- 
tian intercourse,  to  ask  particularly  after  each  other's  ecclesias- 
tical connections  and  sentiments.  And  the  minister  who,  com- 
ing amongst  them,  preached  "  Christ  crucified^'  did  not  need  to 
preach  denominationalism,  in  order  to  secure  their  attention 
and  affection. 

In  the  absence  of  churches  they  gathered  together  in  cabin, 
shop,  or  school-house,  to  mingle  their  worship  and  study  the 
word  of  Grod.  And  when  a  Missionary  visited  a  settlement, 
all  rallied  around  him  to  hear  the  Word  of  Life. 

The  East  had  indeed  sent  its  sceptics  and  scoffers  and  its  indif- 
ferent worldlings,  and  backsliders ;  and  there  were  not  wanting 
those  who  would  have  gladly  excluded  the  Gospel  and  its  institu- 
tions from  the  region.  But  the  prevailing  sentiment  was  in 
favor  of  sustaining  religious  services,  and  building  up  Christian 
institutions. 

The  only  general  types  of  Christians  at  first  found  here,  were 
Presbyterians  and  Orthodox  Congregationalists.  Other  denom- 
inations gradually  came  in ;  the  Methodists,  particularly,  as  in 
other  pioneer  regions,  bearing  a  part  in  the  evangelization 
of  the  wilderness. 


Early    Missionary    Efforts.  13 

Our  object  is  to  trace  simply  the  missionary  labors  and 
successes  of  the  two  leading  denominations,  which  in  reality 
were  one.  For  so  heartily  did  Presbyterians  and  Congrega- 
tionalists  unite  in  their  new  enterprises,  that  a  diflference  was 
hardly  recognized  amongst  them.  But  as  each  element,  though 
almost  unconciously  and  insensibly,  somewhat  colored  and 
gave  character  to  the  institutions  and  piety  of  the  country,  we 
should  carfully  note  the  origin  and  ecclesiastical  affinities  of  the 
missionaries.  What  is  peculiar  in  Western  Reserve  ecclesias- 
ticism  finds  its  explanation  mainly  in  the  character  and  habits 
of  the  immigrants  and  their  missionaries. 

Ecclesiasticism  was  a  word  hardly  known  or  used  by  the 
early  Christians  and  churches  of  the  Reserve.  The  latter  grew 
up  spontaneously  and  naturally,  under  such  formative  influ- 
ences as  Godjby  his  providence  threw  arround  them.  The  Mis- 
sionaries like  the  early  disciples  of  Christianity,  ^^  went  every- 
where preaching  the  Word,'^  and  collecting  the  few  believers  into 
groups  and  churches ;  suffering  them  for  the  most  part  to  arrange 
the  minutia  of  their  organizations  and  discipline,  according  to 
their  own  convictions,  guided  by  the  Word  of  God,  and  partly 
by  their  former  opinions  and  practices.  Where  there  were 
differing  elements  and  opinions,  the  effort  was  invariably  made  to 
secure  charity,  mutual  concession  and  co-operation. 

As  we  can  best  understand  the  work  accomplished,  by  becom- 
ing acquainted  with  the  workmen,  and  following  them  in  their 
labors,  the  reader  is  now  presented  with  a  brief  sketch  of  the 
life  of  each  of  the  early  Missionaries,  in  the  order  of  their  ar- 
rival, up  to  the  time  when  the  Presbyteries  began  to  be  organ- 
ized. 

2 


14  The    Plan    op    Union. 

REV.  WILLIAM  WICK. 

The  first  minister  who  came  to  the  Western  Reserve,  so  far 
as  now  appears,  and  also  the  first  who  was  installed  Pastor  in 
this  field,  was  the  Rev.  William  Wick. 

Mr.  Wick  was  born  at  Southampton,  Long  Island,  in  1768. 
He  was  brought  up  in  New  York  City,  and  subsequently  re- 
moved, with  his  father's  family,  to  Pennsylvania.  He  received 
his  collegiate  education  at  Jefferson  College,  Canonsburg,  Pa., 
and  studied  Theology  with  Rev.  John  McMillan,  D.  D.,  be- 
ing a  member  of  his  first  class  in  Theology.  Mr.  Wick  was 
licensed  to  preach  on  the  28th  of  August,  1799,  and  preached 
his  first  sermon  at  Youngstown,  0.,  the  field  of  his  future 
ministerial  labors,  upon  the  first  of  September  following  his 
licensure. 

A  church  was  soon  organized,  and  in  the  following  year 
Mr.  Wick  removed  his  family  to  Youngstown,  and  upon  the 
third  of  September,  1800,  was  ordained  and  installed  as  Pastor 
of  the  two  churches  of  Youngstown  and  Hopewell.  To  these 
churches  his  labors  were  mainly  devoted ;  though  a  part  of  his 
time  was  afterward  given  to  missionary  labors  in  the  destitute 
settlements. 

Mr.  Wick  was  connected  with  Hartford  (afterward  Beaver) 
Presbytery,  and  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg,  as  were  most  of  the 
early  ministers  on  the  Reserve  ;  that  being  the  nearest  eccle- 
siastical body  with  which  they  could  connect. 

Probably  Mr.  W.  at  first  received  pecuniary  aid  from  the 
Presbytery ;  afterward  he  received  an  appointment  from  the 
Connecticut  Missionary  Society. 


Early    Missionary    Efforts.  15 


The  first  intimation  discovered  of  this,  is  dated  April  27, 
1807.  Rev.  Calvin  Chapin,  of  Connecticut,  had  visited  the 
Reserve,  and  through  Rev.  Mr.  Hughes  made  a  proposition  to 
Hartford  Presbytery,  in  behalf  of  the  Connecticut  Missionary 
Society,  to  the  effect  that,  if  the  Presbytery  would  furnish 
ministers  for  the  Reserve,  the  Connecticut  Society  would  sup- 
port them. 

Mr.  Chapin  writes  to  Mr.  Wick  as  follows,  after  expressions 
of  personal  esteem  and  affection,  and  some  statements  relating 
to  the  distribution  of  books  on  the  Reserve  : 

"  The  Trustees  feel  most  deeply  for  tlie  people  in  New  Connecticut. 
They  appointed  a  considerable  number  of  missionaries,  hoping  that 
three  or  four  of  them  would  consent  to  go  into  your  country.  But 
none  have  yet  consented ;  and  I  can  not  learn  that  they  will.  We  will 
certainly  however  send  out  some  as  soon  as  we  can  find  the  suitable 
men,  who  are  willing  to  go.  But  the  truth  is,  our  preaching  people 
in  this  region  have  not  courage  or  zeal  enough  to  lead  them  so  far. 
They  view  it  as  a  great  undertaking,  and  say,  '  We  have  missionary 
ground  enough  nearer  home.'  Nevertheless,  Christ  will  provide  for 
his  flock  in  that  wilderness.  I  have  much  hope  from  the  plan  which 
I  suppose  Brother  Hughes  has,  before  this,  presented  to  your  Pres- 
bytery, or  Synod,  or  both.  I  doubt  not  it  meets  your  approbation, 
and  will  of  course  have  your  cordial  assistance.  Furnish  us  with 
suitable  men,  and  we  will  pay  them  as  we  do  our  missionaries  from 
this  quarter." 

Here  we  see  the  spirit  of  love  to  Christ,  rising  above  all 
local  and  sectarian  prejudice,  and  drawing  together  in  frater- 
nal co-operation,  all  who  were  interested  to  see  Christianity  ad- 
vance upon  the  new  territory.     The  Connecticut  brethren  did 


61  The    Plan    of    Union. 

not  think  to  stop  and  inquire  whether  the  ^'milk  from  their 
Congregational  cows,  might  not  be  churned  into  Presbyterian 
butter''  by  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg  ! 

Mr.  Wick  labored  some  time  as  a  missionary  under  the  pat- 
ronage of  the  Connecticut  Society.  His  last  commission,  dat- 
ed Hartford,  Jan.  17,  1815,  was  as  follows : 

"  Rev.  Sir  —  You  are  hereby  appointed  Missionary  by  the  Trustees 
of  the  Missionary  Society  of  Connecticut,  for  the  term  of  one  year, 
unless  sooner  recalled  by  the  Board  ;  to  labor  for  such  a  part  of  the 
time  as  you  can  be  spared  from  your  stated  charge,  in  New  Connec- 
ticut and  such  other  parts  of  Ohio,  as  you  shall  think  it  expedient  to 
visit. 

♦*In  the  name  of  the  Trustees. 

"ABEL  FLINT,  Secretary." 

The  aboye  commission,  though  not  "recalled  by  the  Board,'' 
was  soon  recalled  by  a  higher  authority.  Mr.  Wick  preached 
his  last  sermon  on  the  13  th  of  February  following.  He  was 
now  in  extremely  feeble  health.  At  Hopewell  the  congrega- 
tion was  invited  to  his  own  house,  and  addressed  by  him,  after 
be  became  too  feeble  to  go  out.  His  death  occurred  on  the 
29th  of  March,  1815,  at  the  age  of  48  years. 

In  person  Mr.  W.  "was  tall  and  thin  in  flesh."  In  dispo- 
sition he  was  "calm,  mild  and  amiable,  some  times  sorrowful, 
but  never  angry,"  says  one  who  had  the  best  opportunity  to 
know.  "  In  Theology,"  says  the  same  authority,  "  he  was 
what  was  then  called  a  General  Atonement  man ;  though  not 
so  much  a  stickler  for  doctrines,  as  for  consistent  practice  and 
devoted,  earnest  piety."     We  hear  also  of  "incidents,  straits 


Early    Missionary    Efforts.  17 

and  trials,  when/'  says  a  daughter,  "  he  used  to  call  us  around 
him  and  say,  '  Let  us  pray.'  " 

A  paper  left  by  Mr.  Wick,  entitled,  "Articles  of  Practice 
for  a  Church,''  being  probably  the  one  adopted  by  the  churches 
organized  by  him,  begins  as  follows  : 

'*  This  Church  adopts  the  regulations  proposed  by  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  America,  and  approved  by  the 
General  Association  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  June  16,  1801,  for 
the  promotion  of  union  and  harmony  among  the  people  of  the  new 
settlements." 

Mrs.  Wick  "lived  till  about  1835.  She  was  a  woman  of 
strong  faith,  clear  views,  deeply  pious,  had  more  than  ordina- 
ry perseverance,  and  died  as  the  Christian  dies." 

As  Mr.  W.  labored  part  of  the  time  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
had  from  the  first  a  stated  charge,  he  acted  perhaps  a  less 
prominent  part  in  forming  the  churches  on  the  Reserve,  than 
some  others;  but  he  left  his  mark,  and  such  an  one  as  a  good 
man  would  wish  to  leave.  It  is  noteworthy  that  this  first  min- 
ister settled  upon  the  Reserve,  was  settled  for  life.  Many  an 
early  settler  remembers  and  speaks  with  aflfection  of  the  min- 
isterial labors  of  good  "Willie  Wick."  Several  of  his  children 
are  still  living.  Most  of  the  above  facts  were  furnished  by 
Calvin  Wick,  Mrs.  Phebe  Anderson  and  Mrs.  Eliza  AVood, 
children  of  Mr.  Wick. 


18  The    Plan    OF    Union. 

REV.  JOSEPH  BADOER. 

The  second  minister^  and  first  regular  missionary,  upon  the 
Reserve,  was  the  Rev.  Joseph  Badger.  As  there  is  a  biogra- 
phy of  Mr.  Badger  extant,  the  reader  is  referred  to  that  for 
the  details  of  his  life  and  experience. 

Having  graduated  at  Yale  College,  in  1785,  when  twenty- 
eight  years  of  age,  Mr.  Badger  studied  Theology  with  Rev. 
Mr.  Leavenworth,  in  Waterbury;  and  was  licensed  to  preach 
in  October,  1786.  He  was  settled  as  a  pastor  at  Blanford, 
Mass.,  until  October,  1800,  when  he  was  dismissed,  to  accept 
an  appointment,  under  the  Connecticut  Missionary  Society,  as 
a  missionary  to  the  Western  Reserve.  Leaving  his  family,  he 
took  the  southern  route,  by  Pittsburg,  traveling  on  horseback, 
and  reached  "  the  cabin"  of  Rev.  Mr.  Wick,  at  Youngstown, 
about  the  last  of  December.     Of  Mr.  Wick  he  wrote  : 

"  Mr.  Wick  was  settled  in  charge  of  three  small  settlements,  Hope- 
well, Neshanoc  and  Youngstown,  a  few  weeks  before  I  reached  the 
Reserve.  I  was  received  by  this  brother  and  his  wife  as  a  familiar 
friend." 

The  next  Sabbath,  the  last  Sabbath  of  the  year  1800,  Mr. 
Badger  preached  his  first  sermon  on  the  Reserve,  at  Youngs- 
town. 

He  immediately  commenced  visiting  the  little  settlements, 
and  preaching  to  the  few  families  that  composed  them.  Ver- 
non, Warren,  Canfield,  Poland  and  Boardman,  each  of  which 
contained  from  three  to  six  families,  were  successively  visited. 
He  wrote  — 


Early    Missionary    Efforts.  19 

"Here  and  there  I  found  professing  Christians,  mourning  the  loss 
of  former  privileges,  and  wondering  why  they  had  come  to  this  wil- 
derness, where  there  was  no  house  of  worship  nor  gospel  ordinances. 
I  told  them  that  they  had  been  moved  here  by  the  hand  of  God,  to 
plant  the  Chvirch  in  this  wilderness." 

In  a  letter  to  the  Missionary  Society,  dated  June  23,  1801, 
he  wrote  — 

*'  I  have  spent  my  time  till  now  in  about  twelve  townships,  in  the 
south-east  part  of  the  Reserve,  excepting  four  Sabbaths  spent  in 
Pennsylvania,  after  attending  Presbytery  at  Washington,  Pa.  There 
appears  a  general  disposition  among  the  people  to  hear,  and  in  some 
instances  real  conviction." 

We  here  discover  how  naturally,  and  how  soon,  this  New 
England  missionary  began  to  cultivate  Presbjterial  acquaint- 
ances. Why  should  he  have  been  seeking  ministerial  society 
and  sympathy  amongst  the  Pennamites,  or  why  should  they 
have  welcomed  this  forerunner  of  Congregationalism  ?  Why 
did  not  he  and  Mr.  Wick  start  rival  churches  in  Youngstown, 
and  each  get  his  half  of  the  dozen  families  found  there  ? 
Truly  these  pioneers  were  very  poor  proselyters  !  Or,  was  it 
that  "  the  love  of  Christ  constrained  them  f 

Mr.  Badger  visited  the  northern  and  western  settlements  of 
the  Reserve,  and  made  a  tour  to  the  Indians  on  the  Maumee, 
to  see  what  prospects  offered  for  establishing  a  mission  amongst 
them.  Returning  to  Hudson  in  October,  and  thence  striking 
across  to  Austinburg,  he  organized  a  church  at  the  latter  place 
on  the  24th  of  October,  consisting  of  ten  male  members  and 
six  female.     This  was  the  first  church  organized  by  a  New 


20  ThePlan    of    Union. 

England  man,  on  the  Reserve;  and  the  second,  and  only 
church  after  that  at  Youngstown,  organized  in  this  field  be- 
fore the  year  1802.  The  church  at  Youngstown  was  Presby- 
terian in  form,  that  at  Austinburg  Congregational. 

Mr.  Badger  soon  returned  to  New  England  for  his  family. 

The  Trustees  of  the  Missionary  Society  wrote  in  reference  to 
Mr.  Badger's  tour  — 

"  The  call  for  missionaries  to  that  territory  will  increase.  Another 
will  be  sent  as  soon  as  a  suitable  person  can  be  found  for  the  service, 
and  two  or  more  missionaries  will  be  kept  there  continually.  Mr. 
Badger  visited  every  settlement  and  almost  every  family,  and  all  the 
schools,  catechizing  and  instructing  the  children,  preaching  almost 
daily,  and  performing  all  kinds  of  ministerial  service.  He  also  occa- 
sionally went  into  Pennsylvania,  where  he  attended  two  Presbyteries, 
preached,  and  visited  families." 

At  the  solicitation  of  the  Society,  Mr.  Badger,  with  his  wife 
and  six  children,  immediately  prepared  to  leave  their  eastern 
home  and  migrate  to  the  Reserve.  The  compensation  offered 
was  only  seven  dollars  per  week.  Having  loaded  a  wagon 
with  what  little  furniture  and  goods  could  be  thus  transported, 
they  started  on  the  23d  of  February,  1802,  for  Austinburg, 
by  the  northern  route.  Of  this  tedious,  winter  journey,  much 
of  the  way  through  unsettled  forests,  we  can  imagine  the  hard- 
ships. But  the  severest  trial  was  that  of  taking  a  family  of 
children  beyond  the  reach  of  schools,  and  into  savage  wilds, 
with  scarcely  means  adequate  to  secure  them  food  and  cloth- 
ing.    Faith  equal  to  Abraham's  was  needed. 

Reaching  Austinburg  about  the  last  of  April,  Mr.  Badger 
secured  a  lot  of  land,  *'  built  a  cabin  of  round  logs,  without  a 


Early    Missionary    Efforts.  21 

chink,  and  only  floored  half  over  with  split  stuiF,  and  partly 
roofed  with  boards  from  Austin's  mill,  with  no  chimney."  By 
perseverance  and  toil  a  quantity  of  provisions  were  secured  and 
a  cow  purchased.  This  accomplished,  he  was  ready  for  another 
missionary  tour  amongst  the  settlements,  upon  which  he  imme- 
diately entered.  His  circuit  this  time  lay  through  Painesville, 
Cleveland,  Hudson,  and  thence  eastward  to  the  places  where 
he  first  preached,  and  homeward.  We  readily  conceive  the 
joy  of  the  pious  settlers  at  his  return. 

At  Hudson  he  organized  a  church,  in  which  Deacon  Thomp- 
son, Esquire  Hudson,  and  twelve  other  persons  were  embraced. 
This  tour  was  completed  in  September.  Mr.  Badger  attended 
a  meeting  of  the  Synod  at  Pittsburg,  upon  the  last  Wednesday 
of  that  month ;  and  in  October  returned  home  "  to  build  a 
chimney,  chink  and  plaster  the  cracks  in  his  cabin,  put  a  floor 
over  the  vacant  half,  and  otherwise  prepare  his  family  for  win- 
ter." This  done,  he  started  upon  another  preaching  tour, 
which  occupied  the  whole  winter.  A  church  was  organized  at 
Poland  during  this  tour.  Of  course,  great  toils,  hardships  and 
sufferings  were  encountered  during  these  peregrinations,  of 
which  the  reader  may  find  an  account  in  the  Biography. 

Under  a  mistaken  view  of  the  destitution  and  trials  of  mis- 
sionaries on  the  Reserve,  the  Trustees  of  the  Connecticut  Mis- 
sionary Society  in  January,  1803,  voted  to  reduce  their  pay  to  six 
dollars  per  week.  Mr.  Badger,  by  letter  and  through  friends, 
represented  to  them  the  impossibility  of  supporting  his  family 
on  such  a  salary ;  but  they  persisted  in  this  blind  and  cruel 
policy,  and  he  continued  to  toil  on,  amidst  all  conceivable  trials 
and  straits,  until  January  1st,  1806,  when  he  felt  compelled 


22  ThePlanofUnion. 

to  close  bis  labors,  under  the  Society  of  Connecticut  and  offer 
himself  to  the  Western  Missionary  Society  at  Pittsburg. 
Under  their  patronage  he  went  as  a  missionary  to  the 
Wyandotte  Indians,  in  the  Sandusky  region,  where  he  toiled 
faithfully  for  many  years. 

For  the  latter  years  of  his  laborious  and  useful  life,  es- 
pecially at  Gustavus,  after  his  return  to  the  Reserve,  see  Me- 
moir. A  few  paragraphs  only  need  be  quoted  to  show  the  sen- 
timents of  this  venerable  Father  upon  some  of  those  subjects 
which  have  since  distracted  our  churches.  ^' He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  a  Congregational  Association  in  Massachusetts,  and 
retained  his  ecclesiastical  preferences;  yet  he  was  the  first  to 
unite  with  a  Presbytery  on  the  plan  of  union." 

"When  the  subject  of  Temperance  came  up  he  took  an 
active  part  in  forming  a  Temperance  Society,  pledging  the 
members  to  abstinence  from  ardent  spirits  as  a  beverage."  His 
sentiments  on  the  subject  of  Americn  Slavery  are  represented 
to  have  been  "in  decided  opposition  to  it  as  a  sin;  a  moral  and 
a  natural  evil;  while  he  thought  that  harsh  measures  and  severe 
denudations  would  never  induce  the  slaveholder  to  relinquish 
the  right  granted  to  him  by  the  Constitution  and  the  National 
Government;  and  if  mild  means  and  moral  suasion  would  not 
convince  him  of  the  evil,  it  must  remain  until  some  Divine 
Providence  should  interfere.  He  accordingly  said  but  little  on 
the  subject." 

"In  the  Winter  of  1744  he  removed  to  Perrysburg,  where 
he  closed  his  long  and  useful  life."  He  was  asked  a  few  hours 
before  his  death,  if  the  Saviour  was  still  precious  to  him ;  he 
answered  in  the  affirmative. 


Early   Missionary    Efforts.  23 

^^  At  ten  o'clock  on  Sabbath  evening  he  expired  without  a  strug- 
gle, with  a  smile  resting  on  his  countenance,  in  his  ninetieth  year." 
So  sinks  the  Christian  hero,  calm  and  beautiful,  to  his  rest. 

Mr.  Badger  has  left  us  the  following  tribute  to  the  compan- 
ion of  his  youth,  who  was  ^' taken  suddenly  ill,'^  in  July,  1818, 
and  after  "a  few  days  of  painful  sickness,  departed  this  life 
on  the  fourth  of  August.'' 

"  She  had  endured  with  unusual  fortitude  the  trials  and 
privations  of  leaving  her  beloved  friends  in  Connecticut,  and 
removing,  in  1802,  into  this,  then  almost  unbroken,  wilderness. 
She  became  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  in  early  life, 
in  the  same  Society  with  her  father,  mother,  two  brothers, 
and  two  sisters;  from  whence  her  relation  was  transferred  to 
the  church  in  Blanford,  Massachusetts,  then  to  that  in  Austin- 
burg,  and  from  that  to  Ashtabula,  where  she  closed  the  days 
of  her  earthly  pilgrimage,  to  join  the  Church  triumphant. 
She  was  a  discreet  wife,  an  affectionate  mother,  a  consistent 
Christian,  beloved  as  a  friend  and  neighbor.  She  bore  with 
Christian  fortitude  and  patience  the  trials  we  had  to  encoun- 
ter. On  her  devolved,  almost  exclusively,  the  task  of  forming 
the  minds  of  our  children,  and  storing  them  with  the  principles 
of  piety  and  virtue ;  and  this  she  performed  with  unwearied  fi- 
delity.'^  Hallowed  be  the  memory  of  the  first  Missionary's 
wife,  who  came  to  plant  roses  in  our  savage  wilds. 

EEV.  E.  F.  CHAPIN. 

In  November,  1801,  Rev.  E.  F.  Chapin  left  Hartford, 
Connecticut,  as  a  missionary  to  New  Connecticut.  He  arrived 
in  December,  and  from  that    time  till  the   Spring  of  1803, 


24  The    Plan    OP    Union. 

occupied   himself  in  missionary  labors,   similar  to  those  per- 
formed by  Mr.  Badger. 

September,  1802,  Mr.  Chapin  wrote,  after  narrating  his  own 
labors :  "  In  places  where  the  ordinances  are  not  administered ; 
where  the  means  of  Public  Worship  and  religious  instruction 
are  not  enjoyed,  religion  insensibly  looses  ground;  prayer  in  the 
family  and  closet  is  generally  neglected ;  and  the  consequences 
are,  infidelity,  stupidity  and  licentiousness.  I  have  been  kindly 
received  in  many  places  which  I  have  visited,  and  favored  with 
the  best  accommodations  the  country  affords.''  In  the  Spring 
of  1803  Mr.  Chapin  returned  to  New  England,  and  we  hear 
of  him  no  more.  At  the  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Missionary 
Society,  in  June,  1803,  it  was  resolved  to  fill  Mr.  Chapin's 
place,  and  also  send  a  third  missionary  as  soon  as  possible. 

REV.  THOMAS  ROBBINS. 

In  May,  1803,  Rev.  Thomas  Robbins  was  appointed  to  suc- 
ceed Rev.  Mr.  Chapin.  He  was  ordained  on  the  20th  of  July 
by  the  North  Consociation  of  Litchfield,  and  started  West, 
instructed  to  preach  by  the  way.  He  was  detained  by  sick- 
ness in  Western  Pennsylvania  and  did  not  reach  the  Reserve 
until  the  end  of  November.  He  immediately  joined  Mr. 
Badger  in  his  laborious  tours  and  efforts  to  plant  the  seed  of 
truth  in  the  new  settlements.  About  this  period  churches 
were  organized  at  Hartford,  Warren  and  Yernon  and  a  marked 
religious  interest  appeared  in  nearly  all  the  eastern  town- 
ships of  the  Reserve.  At  Austinburg,  Morgan  and  Harpers- 
field,  there  were  cheering  revivals,  as  the  result  of  which 
many  were  added  to  the  church  in  Austinburg. 


CHAPTER   III. 


REMARKABLE     REVIVALS. 

The  seed  scattered  bj  the  missionaries  upon  this  new  soil  soon 
germinated,  and  produced  striking  results.  Very  peculiar 
manifestations  of  religious  enthusiasm  and  intense  feeling  were 
exhibited,  which  were  in  accordance  with  what  appeared  in 
other  parts  of  the  country,  and  which  generally  appear  only 
where  the  G-ospel  is  newly  preached,  and  attains  a  sudden  and 
powerful  hold  upon  the  popular  mind. 

Peter's  Pentecost  has  never  been  repeated ;  yet  the  first  out- 
burst of  many  a  peoples'  spiritual  life,  has  been  almost  as  re- 
markable. The  human  mind,  when  first  filled  by,  and  given 
up  to,  the  great  truths  of  Christianty,  like  a  tree  or  forest 
shaken  by  a  tornado,  astonishes  the  beholder  with  its  strange 
exercises  and  mighty  agitations. 

In  November,  1802,  Mr.  Badger  wrote  to  the  Trustees  of  the 
Connecticut  Mission  Society,  as  follows : 

"Upon  the  last  Sabbath  in  August,  the  Sacramental  Supper  was  ad- 
ministered at  Toungstown.    On  Monday  near  the  close  of  the  exercises, 
there  appeared  an  unusual  movement  in  the  minds  of  many.     It  was 
3  (25) 


26  The    Plan    of    Union. 

found  afterward,  that  many  were  hopefully  the  subjects  of  a  genviine 
awakening,  which  has  since  terminated  apparently  in  a  saving 
change." 

Individual  cases  are  described,  and  the  letter  then  proceeds 
to  delineate  Mr.  B's  visit  to  Pittsburg,  and  some  remarkable 
revivals  that  had  occurred  within  the  bounds  of  the  Synod. 

Beyond  the  ordinary  means  of  grace,  the  only  instrumen- 
talities employed  to  produce  these  revivals,  were  the  "  Three- 
days  meetings,'^  or  communion  seasons,  which  are  described  by 
Mr.  Bobbins  in  a  letter,  dated  Canfield,  December  7,  1803,  as 
follows : 

"The  custom  of  Presbyterians,  in  this  western  country,  of  meeting 
in  large  numbers  on  sacramental  occasions,  is  an  invariable  practice. 
Dr.  Nesbit,  of  Carlisle,  told  me  it  was  introduced  in  Scotland  in  the 
reign  of  Charles  I.,  when  a  great  number  of  their  ministers  were 
silenced.  One  or  two  would  administer  to  several  chui-ches.  The 
present  practice  is,  to  have  a  Sacrament  at  every  Congregation,  once, 
and  sometimes  twice,  in  a  year;  generally  twice  in  a  minister's  charge. 

* '  Three  or  four  ministers  attend,  and  the  most  of  the  people  within 
twelve,  fifteen  or  twenty  miles. 

''Their  ordinary  custom  is  to  preach  Saturday  afternoon,  twice  on  the 
Sabbath,  with  the  administration  of  the  Supper  between ;  a  prayer 
meeting  on  Sabbath  evening,  and  a  sermon  on  Monday ;  after  which 
the  people  disperse.  The  people  belonging  to  the  congregation  where 
the  meeting  is,  all  keep  open  houses  for  any  that  come." 

"  On  Thursday  preceeding  the  Sacrament "  a  fast  was  gene- 
rally observed.  At  times  of  peculiar  interest,  more  numerous 
and  extended  meetings  were  often  held,  forming  a  kind  of  pro- 
tracted meetings,  similar  to  what  are  still  held  in  some  places. 


R  E  INI  A  R  K  A  B  L  E      REVIVALS.  27 

In  the  absence  of  clmrclics,  the  woods  were  frequently  re- 
sorted to,  and  the  meetings  conducted  somewhat  in  the  manner 
of  the  Methodist  camp-meetings,  but  in  a  more  quiet  and  orderly 
manner.  Thus  they  illustrated  the  sentiment  of  the  Poet,  who 
says,  that  "  the  groves  were  God's  first  Temple."  And,  doubt- 
less, the  meeting  of  a  vast  congregation  in  the  primeval  forests, 
the  illumination  of  such  a  place  at  night  by  candles  fastened 
to  the  trees,  and  fires  built  around  the  camp,  together  with  other 
animating  incidents,  greatly  hightened  the  exhilarating  and 
exciting  influences  of  the  services. 

Mr.  Robbins,  in  his  letter  to  the  Missionary  Society,  says 
of  one  of  these  sacramental  seasons  — 

"  It  was  the  most  solemn  scene  I  ever  witnessed.  I  never  conceived 
any  thing  which  appeared  so  much,  as  some  parts  of  the  solemnities, 
like  the  judgment  day.  The  administration  of  the  ordinance  lasted 
three  hours  and  a  half.  Mr.  Porter  fenced  the  tables,  which  is  done 
as  follows  :  —  Evei-y  communicant  previously  receives  a  token,  which 
is  a  small  piece  of  lead.  This  they  get  by  applying  to  any  elders 
present,  who  know  them.  None  may  come  to  the  tables  without  their 
tokens.  In  fencing  the  tables,  the  minister  shows  from  Scripture, 
who  have,  and  who  have  not,  a  right  to  that  holy  ordinance.  It  is  an 
address  to  the  consciences  of  those  who  have  received  tokens ;  that 
they  may  decline,  if  they  do  not  feel  clear  to  come  to  the  table.  But 
the  principal  object  in  fencing  the  tables  is,  to  let  the  world  know, 
that  if  wicked  men  do  come  to  that  ordinance,  the  Scriptures  do  not 
authorize  it,  nor  does  the  church  allow  it.  The  number  of  communi- 
cants was  about  three  hundred." 

This  was  at  a  church  in  Pennsylvania.  The  ministers  on 
the  Reserve  frequently  assisted  those  in  Pennsylvania,  at  such 


28  The    Plan    of    Union. 

seasons;  and  were  in  turn  assisted  by  them.  By  this  fraternal 
interchange,  Presbyterians  and  Congregationalists  were  drawn 
into  closer  sympathy. 

From  a  letter  written  to  the  editors  of  the  Evangelical  Mag- 
azine, of  Connecticut,  from  Austinburg,  dated  Nov.  29,  1803, 
we  get  the  following  account  of  the  commencement  of  the 
revival  in  that  place.  The  writer  with  his  family  had  gone  60 
miles  into  Pennsylvania,  to  attend  a  sacramental  occasion.  Re- 
turning home  deeply  impressed,  they  appointed  a  meeting  the 
same  evening : 

*' And  notwithstanding  the  shortness  of  the  notice,  God  so  stirred 
up  the  hearts  of  the  people,  that  more  than  sixty  attended.  The 
night  was  spent  in  prayer.  None  went  from  the  place.  A  solemn 
night !  A  number  were  deeply  impressed  in  their  minds  ;  some  lost 
their  bodily  strength.  The  next  Sabbath  Mr.  Badger  preached  with 
us.  As  the  assembly  was  dismissed  and  began  to  go  out,  behold  three 
young  men,  each  about  16  years  of  age,  were  fallen  down  together 
near  the  door.  Some  of  them  had  been  remarkably  careless.  They 
were  in  such  agony  of  mind,  that  every  beholder  was  struck  with  as- 
tonishment. Mr.  Badger  immediately  went  to  prayer.  A  number  of 
young  men  who  had  begun  to  boast  of  infidel  principles,  were  struck 
at  that  time,  and  one  person  fell.  Three  little  girls  walking  from 
the  place  of  meeting  with  locked  arms,  fell  on  the  ground  and  lost 
their  bodily  strength.  The  night  was  spent  in  prayer.  At  times  to 
the  number  of  eight  lost  their  bodily  strength  ;  but  little  was  heard 
from  them  except  deep  sighs.  These  marks  of  power  are  not  limited 
to  awakened  sinners.  Many  Christians,  where  the  work  has  prevailed, 
have  also  been  thus  affected  under  a  sense  of  Divine  truth." 

Another  writes  from  Austinburg,  Nov.  21,  1803  : 
<'  Such  scenes  I  never  saw  before.     The  Lord  of  all  will  do  just  as 
he  pleases.     Many  are  very  thoughtful,  some  struck  down.     Some 


Remarkable    Revivals.  29 

appear  to  be  as  it  were  faint,  but  most  are  seized  with  a  kind  of 
convulsions ;  some  to  a  very  great  degree.  Some  are  in  that  situation 
longer  than  others  ;  no  two  alike.  After  recovering,  they  appear  to 
have  received  no  injury  from  being  held  to  prevent  struggling ;  and 
although  entirely  helpless,  they  have  a  retentive  memory,  and  have 
a  full  knowledge  of  all  that  is  said  or  going  on  near  them.  Some  have 
immediate  relief,  others  are  in  great  agonies  of  mind  for  many  days." 

Mr.  Badger  says  of  his  preaching  during  this  revival  — 

"  I  endeavored  in  all  my  sermons  to  hold  up  to  the  sinner's  mind 
the  doctrines  of  total  depravity,  repentance  as  a  present  duty,  sub- 
mission to  God,  faith  in  the  Redeemer  as  the  only  possible  way  of 
salvation,  with  practical  application.  All  addresses  to  the  passions 
were  carefully  avoided." 

Meetings  were  held  in  different  neighborhoods,  in  private 
houses,  in  barns,  or  in  the  woods.  In  some  cases  infidels  and 
others,  who  had  mocked  and  sneered,  were  seized  with  the 
common  convulsions.     Mr.  Badger  continues  — 

"It  has  been  said  by  opposers,  that  New  England  people  would 
never  become  subjects  of  this  falling  work;  they  were  better  in- 
formed. But  we  begin  to  have  facts  alarming  to  opposers  ;  education 
and  strength  of  intellect  were  found  to  be  of  no  avail." 

About  40  were  added  to  the  church  in  Austinburg,  as  the 
fruits  of  this  awakening;  other  churches  on  the  Reserve  also  re- 
ceived additions.  In  a  letter  dated  July  19, 1803,  Mr.  Badger 
describes  scenes  similar  to  the  above,  which  occurred  at  sacra- 
mental seasons,  at  Salem,  and  Cross  Creek,  Pa.,  which  he  and 
Mr.  "Wick  attended.  As  this  was  before  the  beginning  of  the 
revival  on  the  Reserve,  Mr.  Badger  says  that  — 
3* 


30  The    Plan   of   Union. 

"  Taking  into  view  the  extraordinary  circumstances  attending  the 
work,  and  the  clamor  raised  against  it  by  enemies  full  of  subtlety 
and  unrighteousness,  I  determined  to  spend  a  Sabbath  in  each  Pres- 
bytery," (the  Ohio  and  Erie  Presbyteries.) 

When  they  arrived  at  Salem  they  found  a  congregation  of 
four  or  five  hundred  assembled  in  a  grove,  where  a  stand,  ta- 
bles, sheds  and  seats  had  been  erected.     Mr.  Badger  says  — 

"  I  preached  from  Luke  11 :  21,  22.  Several  fell  in  time  of  prayer, 
and  more  in  time  of  sermon  ;  some  were  greatly  agitated,  cried  out 
suddenly  as  they  fell,  and  for  a  few  moments  struggled  violently. 
After  struggling  a  few  moments,  they  lay  for  hours  more  resembling 
a  dead  corpse  than  living  creatures.  Others  fell  without  noise  or 
struggle,  and  some  as  suddenly  as  if  they  were  dead." 

At  evening  Mr.  Wick  preached.  The  sermon  and  devo- 
tional exercises  were  continued  till  about  one  o'clock ;  many 
remaining  on  the  ground  all  night.  The  morning  service 
commenced  -with  a  sermon  by  Mr.  Wick,  during  which  many 
fell.  About  180  communed,  one  of  whom  had  to  be  helped 
away  from  the  table  on  account  of  his  overwlielming  impres- 
sions. 

"  A  gentleman  of  education  and  of  medical  skill  attended  through 
the  whole  season,  apparently  candid,  believing  he  could  account  for 
all  the  extraordinary  exercises  on  philosophical  principles.  But  on 
Monday  morning  he  acknowledged  his  error,  and  declared  himself 
fully  convinced  that  it  was,  in  the  main,  the  work  of  God,  Those  who 
were  distressed  complained  much  of  the  hardness  of  their  hearts,  and 
viewed  themselves  totally  opposed  to  God,  and  in  imminent  danger  of 
eternal  ruin.  Those  who  had  obtained  hopes  spoke  of  the  purity  of 
the  law,  of  the  nature  and  tendency  of  sin,  &c.    Many  seemed  to  be 


Remarkable    Revivals.  31 

swallowed  up  in  views  of  the  justice  and  glory  of  the  Divine  govern- 
ment, and  the  plan  of  salvation." 

Similar  scenes  occurred  at  Cross  Creek,  in  Erie,  afterward 
Hartford,  and  now  Beaver,  Presbytery,  to  which  Mr.  Badger 
and  Mr.  Wick  belonged.  Here  there  were  about  800  commu- 
nicants assembled.  And  the  congregation  was  so  large  that 
two  or  three  ministers  could  speak  at  the  same  time,  in  diJBfer- 
ent  parts  of  the  camp,  without  disturbing  each  other.  "It  was 
thought  about  5000  people  attended.''  Late  each  evening  ef- 
forts were  made  to  dismiss  the  meeting,  but  they  would  not 
retire,  and  exercises  were  continued  all  night. 

A  sturdy  physician  declared  that  he  could  easily  account  for 
these  phenomena,  and  repaired  to  the  meeting  to  confirm  his 
belief  that  "only  weak  women"  and  men  of  tender  nerves  fell. 
But  he  was,  during  the  meeting,  himself  alarmed  from  his 
security  and  lost  his  strength.  At  first  he  requested  to  be 
carried  away,  but  soon  after  exclaimed,  "  Oh,  carry  me  back, 
God  is  here.  I  cannot  get  away  from  God.  I  know  now  that 
this  is  God's  work." 

Of  course  these  strange  operations  were  the  subject  of  much 
curiosity  and  scepticism  amongst  people  at  a  distance,  as  well 
as  of  ridicule  by  the  irreligious  at  home.  The  Trustees  of 
the  Connecticut  Missionary  Society,  requested  an  account  of 
them  from  their  missionaries  and  others  in  whom  they  could 
confide. 

Mr.  Bobbins,  in  the  letter  from  which  quotations  have  al- 
ready been  made,  says  — 

"You  once  observed  to  me,  you  wished  to  have  an  account  of  this 
work  from  one  who  had  been  an  eye  witness,  and  who  was  acquainted 


32  The    Plan    of    Union. 

■with  Connecticut  ideas,  modes  of  thinking  and  expression.  I  conceive 
this  work  in  many  respects  to  resemble  the  great  revival  in  New  Eng- 
land in  1740-41-42,  In  extent  of  territory,  it  exceeds  that.  With 
respect  to  the  number  of  subjects  in  the  several  societies  where  the 
work  is,  I  believe  the  present  hardly  equals  the  former.  The  op- 
position, ridicule  and  reproach  which  the  present  work  receives,  are 
not  less,  than  in  the  work  of  the  same  spirit  sixty  years  ago.  The 
manner  of  the  ministers'  preaching  is  also  much  as  it  was  then  — 
Calvinistic  in  sentiment,  serious,  earnest  and  pathetic.  The  state  of 
society,  in  these  back  counties,  is,  in  some  aspects,  similar  to  what  it 
then  was  in  New  England.  In  the  general  attention  and  commotion 
which  are  produced  among  all  classes  of  people,  the  two  cases  are 
quite  similar.  If  there  were  any  excesses  among  ministers  who  were 
great  instruments  in  that  work,  it  doubtless  was  owing  to  the  violent 
opposition  they  experienced.  In  the  present  revival  I  have  not  known 
any  thing  of  the  kind  ;  but  they  appear  to  conduct  with  great  moder- 
ation and  propriety.  People  at  a  distance  may  say  what  they  will, 
but  when  they  come  to  be  eye  witnesses,  every  reasonable  man  is  ef- 
fectually restrained  from  declaring  it  to  be  any  thing  but  the  mighty 
power  of  God. 

"It  is  proper  to  remark  that  this  work  is  in  many  respects  mysteri- 
ous and  remarkable.  By  far  the  greater  part  of  those  who  are  sub- 
jects of  the  work  fall.  But  there  are  many  who  are  evidently  made 
subjects  of  the  work  of  the  Spirit,  and  have  deep  and  powerful  con- 
victions, who  do  not  fall,  and  are  not  at  all  affected  that  way." 

He  adds  that  persons  of  all  classes  and  characters  fall  —  old 
professors  of  religion,  ministers,  elders,  as  well  as  young  con- 
verts, impenitent  persons,  and  some  who  still  persevere  in  a 
vicious  life. 

"Persons  fall  also  on  all  occasions  —  most  generally  at  public  wor- 
ship—  frequently  at  family  prayer  —  sometimes  alone —  sometimes  in 
merry  company,  being  suddenly  struck  by  the  truth.    Sometimes  they 


Remarkaele    Revivals.  33 

fall  -when  they  are  in  their  ordinary  business.  I  use  the  word  fall  in- 
discriminately ;  but  it  must  be  remembered  that  the  degrees  of  bodily 
affection  are  indefinitely  various  —  from  the  least  nervous  agitation, 
every  grade  to  the  most  violent  you  can  conceive,  or  to  a  death-like 
■weakness  and  inaction.  The  bodily  affection  is  of  two  kinds  —  a 
loss  of  the  strength,  and  animal  powers;  or  nervous  affection  and 
convulsions.  The  latter  is  much  the  more  common.  The  duration  of 
the  affection  is  very  diverse  ;  in  some  cases  it  is  but  a  few  moments, 
in  others  several  hours,  or  even  days.  Though  they  continue  this 
time  without  sustenance,  they  feel  no  inconvenience  afterward  ;  they 
are  not  sensible  of  any  pain,  or  any  other  than  mental  distress.  "When 
they  are  so  agitated  that  two  or  three  persons  have  to  make  the 
greatest  exertions  to  hold  one,  and  are  held  by  violence,  they  feel  no 
soreness  afterward.  They  never  lose  their  senses.  Their  minds  ap- 
pear to  be  more  active  than  ever,  and  all  their  powers  seem  intent 
upon  the  things  of  religion  and  the  interests  of  eternity.  They  are 
never  in  so  good  a  situation  to  receive  instruction.  Their  minds  are 
fixed  and  their  memories  uncommonly  retentive.  The  ministers  uni- 
formly inculcate  the  idea  that  there  is  no  religion  in  merel}^  falling 
down.  Indeed  it  appears  to  be  nothing  more  than  the  effect  of  the 
affection  of  the  mind.  All  agree,  friends  and  foes,  that  it  is  a  reality, 
and  not  feigned  —  nothing  which  is  the  effect  of  design  in  the  subject. 
That  is  placed  beyond  all  doubt. 

"  The  great  inquiry  in  New  England  is,  '  Why  do  they  fall  V  For 
five  weeks  I  took  great  pains  to  enable  myself  to  answer  this  inquiry." 

His  conviction  was  that  in  the  case  of  the  impenitent,  it 
was  the  overwhelming  conviction  of  their  sins  and  God's  holiness 
and  justice ;  and  in  the  case  of  Christians,  some  peculiarly  clear 
and  impressive  views  of  the  glory  of  God's  character,  or  of 
some  feature  in  the  plan  of  salvation.  He  says  at  last,  *^  I 
will  conclude"  this  subject  by  observing  'that  I  firmly  believe 
this  to  be  a  conspicuous  and  glorious  work  of  divine  grace." 


34  The    Plan    OP    Union. 

I  have  given  these  lengthy  extracts  from  Messrs.  Badger 
and  Kobbins,  because  they  were  not  enthusiasts,  but  men  in 
whose   cahnness   and  good    sense  confidence  could  be  placed. 

Of  course  we  do  not  believe  that  there  was  any  miraculous 
influence  exerted;  nor  that  there  was  any  merit  or  peculiar 
advantage  in  such  exhibitions.  But  we  must  see  in  them  a 
striking  exhibition  of  the  power  of  religious  truth  when  ac- 
companied by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  brought  fairly  home  upon 
the  mind. 

A  curious  feature  in  these  exhibitions  was  the  fact,  that 
"wicked  men  would  be  seized  with  them  while  sedulously 
guarding  against  an  attack,  and  cursing  every  jerk  when  made.'^ 

The  different  forms  of  the  affection  received  from  spectators 
the  facetious  names  of  the  falling,  the  jerking,  the  rolling,  the 
running,  the  dancing  and  the  barking  exercises;  and  lastly 
visions  and  trances. '^ 

A  somewhat  humorous  account  of  these  exercises  may  be 
found  in  the  Historical  Collections  of  Ohio,  page  46. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


PRESBYTERIAN    MISSIONARIES. 

The  departure  of  Mr.  Badger  from  the  Reserve,  and  the 
policy  of  the  Society,  which  drove  him  away,  was  probably  a 
principal  reason  why  the  missionary  work  in  this  region  rather 
declined  for  a  few  years;  though  it  was  never  abandoned. 
Probably  this  partial  desertion  of  the  field  by  New  England 
Missionaries  also  led  the  way  for  the  introduction  of  more 
Presbyterians,  as  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg  occasionally  sent 
missionaries  out,  on  limited  tours,  even  before  Mr.  B's  depart- 
ure. And  from  that  time,  to  1812,  most  of  the  new  laborers 
were  Presbyterians ;  sent  out  by  the  Presbyterian  Society.  Of 
course  where  their  influences  prevailed,  Presbyterian  Churches 
were  organized ;  as  at  Youngstown,  Vienna,  Poland,  Springfield, 
Euclid,  and  Warren,  to  which  Mr.  Boyd  preached.  Generally 
the  minister  had  the  molding  of  the  church. 

Respecting  the  missionaries  who  occupied  the  field  from  1804 
to  1812,  I  have  been  able  to  collect  but  few  facts.  The  general 
impression  is,  that  they  were  good  pious  men,  of  sound  doctrine, 
and  laborious  habits,  but  not  as  thoroughly  educated,  nor  per- 

(35) 


36  TiiE    Plan    of    Union. 

haps  generally  as  energetic  and  enterprising  as  the  New  Eng- 
land missionaries. 

Yet,  occupying  the  field  during  a  period  when  the  churches 
were  taking  form  and  complexion,  their  influence  was  very 
important.  The  Presbyterian  features  of  our^polity  were  de- 
rived from  them,  as  also  somewhat  of  that  decided  Calvinism, 
which  has  ever  characterized  the  Presbyteries  and  Synod  of  the 
Reserve. 

UEY.    NICHOLAS    PETTENGER. 

Mr.  Nicholas  Pettenger  commenced  laboring  at  Poland  in 
June  1804 ;  and  upon  the  24th  of  October  following  was 
ordained  by  Erie  Presbytery,  at  Westfield  Pennsylvania.  Mr. 
Badger  preached  the  ordination  sermon.  He  complains  that 
in  Mr.  Pettenger's  trial  sermon,  '^  there  appeared  a  great  want 
of  theological  training.*'  Mr.  James  Boyd  was  at  the  same 
time  and  place  licensed  to  preaeh  the  Gospel. 

Mr.  Pettenger  continued  to  labor  at  Poland  till  1810,  when 
he  removed  to  Chilicothe,  where  he  died. 

REV.    JAMES    BOYD. 

Mr.  Boyd  was  born  in  1773,  at  Easton  Pennsylvania;  gra- 
duated at  JeflFerson  College ;  studied  theology  with  Dr.  McMil- 
lan, was  licensed  by  Erie  Presbytery  in  1804,  at  Westfield ;  and 
in  1808  was  settled  over  the  three  churches  of  Milton,  Newton, 
and  Warren,  ^'  in  which  connection  he  remained  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  March  8.  1813.  Some  portion  of  his  time,  he 
spent  as  a  missionary  under  the  patronage  of  the  Connecticut 


Presbyterian    Missionaries.  37 

Missionary  Society.  His  piety  and  zeal  were  highly  commended. 
"  We  thought  a  mighty  heap  of  Mr.  Boyd/'  said  a  good  hearted 
woman  in  Milton.  What  better  testimonial  could  a  shepherd 
desire  from  his  flock  ? 

REV.    ABRAHAM    SCOTT. 

Rev.  Abraham  Scott  commenced  missionary  service  upon  the 
Reserve  early  in  1808.  In  March  of  the  same  year,  he  was 
joined  by  Rev.  Jonathan  Leslie.  These  brethren,  though 
Presbyterians,  were  under  the  patronage  of  the  Connecticut 
Society,  which  as  we  have  seen  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Wick,  was 
unable  to  get  men  to  come  here  from  Connecticut.  No  wonder, 
when  six  dollars  per  week  was  all  they  offered.  In  May,  the 
Trustees  passed  the  following  vote  : 

^'  Whereas,  Messrs  A.  Scott,  and  J.  Leslie,  are  appointed  to 
labor  as  Missionaries  in  the  territory  called  New  Connecticut ; 
and  whereas,  it  is  expedient,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Board,  that 
they  should  be  ordained  as  Evangelists : 

"  Voted,  that  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio  be  requested  to  ordain 
them,  provided,  upon  examination,  they  should  be  found 
qualified  for  the  work  of  the  Ministry  ! " 

They  were,  after  the  usual  forms'^of  trial,  ordained  on  July 
12th.  "  Rev.  Andrew  Gwin^preached  the  ordination  sermon, 
and  Rev.  J.  McMillan  D.  D.  delivered  the  charge.'^ 

Mr.  Scott  wrote  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Society  in  Connec- 
ticut in  1808,  as  follows  : 

"Although  there  are  many  things  here  truly  distressing,  yet  there 
are  some  that  are  encouraging."     (He  speaks  of  "the  awful  stupidity 
of  many  —  the  dangerous  heresies  of  others,  and  the  open  and  blas- 
4 


38  The    Plan    OF    Union. 

phemous  infidelity  of  a  few.")  *'  But  I  find  that,  even  amongst  the 
worst,  there  are  some  who,  at  times,  are  not  past  feeling.  They  appear 
willing  to  hear  what  may  be  said  against  them.  Not  only  the  seri- 
ously inclined,  but  many  others  also  profess,  and,  in  many  respects,  evi- 
dence, a  desire  for  the  Gospel.  I  have  been  almost  iiniversally  received 
and  treated  by  all  sorts,  since  I  came  into  this  country,  with  the  greatest 
civility  and  friendship.  There  has  been  an  unexpected  attention  to, 
and,  in  many  places,  an  apparent  solemnity,  under,  preaching.  In- 
quiries have  frequently  been  made  respecting  the  prospect  of  other 
missionaries  coming  into  this  country.  I  trust  I  need  not  mention  the 
arrangements,  that  have  been  made  in  almost  all  the  churches  here,  to 
have  the  Gospel  statedly  among  them.  Many  settlements  that  are 
unable  to  support  preaching  statedly  among  them,  have  evinced  a  de- 
sire to  have  it  occasionally,  at  their  own  expense.  —  In  other  places 
where  they  are  able  to  support  it,  at  least  a  considerable  part  of  the 
time,  they  have  attempted  it  apparently  to  very  little  purpose.  The 
extreme  difficulty  of  obtaining  suitable  preachers  has  been  the  uniform 
cause  of  their  disappointments. 

"  They  appear  solicitously  to  look  up  to  you  (the  Trustees),  as  under 
Christ,  to  sympathize,  and  still  continue  to  do  for  them  in  this  respect, 
thankful  for  what  you  have  done ;  at  the  same  time  not  doubting  but 
you  are  using  your  utmost  efforts,  for  their  spiritual  welfare." 

Shortly  afterward  Mr.  J.  Leslie  writes  as  follows  :  — ^ 

"I  visit  the  schools  and  find  them  in  tolerably  good  order.  In  most 
of  them  the  Holy  Scriptures  are  read  a  part  of  the  time ;  and  some 
attention  is  paid  to  the  Shorter  Catechism,  though  not  so  much  as  I 
could  wish.  This  perhaps  is  owing,  in  some  measure,  to  the  want  of 
books.  The  attention  paid  to  preaching  in  every  place  where  I  have 
been,  is  a  very  great  encouragememt  to  me  in  my  labors.  I  believe 
we  are  not  to  expect  much  open  opposition  from  any  on  the  Reserve. 
The  enemies  of  the  religion  of  Jesus,  find,  that  to  oppose  it,  destroys 
their  influence. 

"Individuals  are  in  some  places  awakened  and  inquiring  for  salva- 


Presbyterian  Missionaries.  39 

tion.  Some  few  are  lying  at  the  threshold  of  soverign  mercy,  and  two 
or  three  have  given  recent  evidence  of  having  obtained  a  hope  of  salva- 
tion through  Jesus  Christ.  This  appears  to  be  a  seed  time,  but  we 
want  the  rain.  Unless  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit  attend  the 
means  of  grace,  sinners  can  not  be  saved 

"Although  I  have  lodged  in  one  hundred  and  thirty  different  fami- 
lies, I  have  been  uniformly  received  with  respect  as  a  minister  of  the 
Gospel;  and  especially  as  one  sent  by  your  benevolent  Society." 

The  Trustees  in  noticing  these  letters,  remark  that,  ^^  no  por- 
tion of  the  vast  missionary  field  in  the  United  States,  is  sup- 
posed to  have  stronger  claims  to  missionary  attention  than  the 
Connecticut  Western  Reserve.  It  is  calculated  that  upon  that 
tract,  there  are  not  far  from  twelve  thousand  people."  (This 
estimate  was  probably  too  low ;  in  1810,  the  population  of  the 
Reserve  was  reported  to  be  16,241).  "  And  there  has  been  be- 
fore the  present  year  (1808)  but  one  settled  minister  of  the 
Congregational  or  Presbyterian  denomination.  Its  great  dis- 
tance has  rendered  it  impossible  for  the  Trustees  to  employ  as 
many  laborers  there  as  they  have  wished.  But  their  prospects 
in  that  district  are  brightening.  The  Rev.  Messrs  A.  Scott  and 
J.  Leslie  have  wrought  in  that  field,  almost-  the  whole,  and  the 
Rev.  AVm.  AVick,  a  part,  of  the  present  season." 

"Near  the  close  of  last  May  (1808),  the  Rev.  Enoch  Burt  was,  at 
the  request  of  the  Trustees,  ordained  an  Evangelist  by  Fairfied  Eastern 
District  Association,  preparatory  to  a  missionary  tour  through  New 
Connecticut.  From  the  labors  of  that  mission  he  returned  near  the  end 
of  October,  having  preached  forty-one  sermons,  baptized  twentj^-seven 
children  and  one  adult;  organized  one  church,  once  administered  the 
Lord's  Supper,  and  traveled  two  hundred  and  twenty-one  miles." 

"  It  is  pleasing  to  add  that  in  several  instances  the  present  year,  the 


40  The    Plan    of    Union. 

people  of  that  country  have  supplied  themselves  with  regular,  evan- 
gelical preaching,  that  one  minister  has  been  ordained  there  to  a 
stated  pastoral  charge  ;  and  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  the  neighboring  Presbyteries,  have  supplied  them  with 
several  months  of  missionary  service." 

The  Trustees  add,  in  tlieir  narrative  at  the  close  of  1808,  that 
^'  the  Rev.  James  Scott,  of  Grranville,  Ohio,  was  appointed,  in 
September,  1808,  to  labor  in  the  service  of  the  Society  such 
a  part  of  the  time  as  he  can  be  spared  from  the  people  of  his 
stated  charge." 

"  On  the  whole  in  relation  to  missionary  efforts,  in  New 
Connecticut  and  parts  adjacent,  you  will  perceive  that  they 
are  in  a  train  of  desirable  prosperity  and  success." 

REV.  MESSRS.  JAMES  SCOTT  AND  J.  LESLIE. 

Respecting  Mr.  Scott  I  can  learn  nothing  more  than  is  given 
above.  Mr.  Leslie  was  born  in  Adams  County,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1780.  He  graduated  at  Jefferson  College  in  1808;  studied 
Theology  with  Rev.  J.  McMillan,  D.  D.,  was  licensed  in  June, 
1807 ;  came  to  the  Reserve,  and  was  ordained,  as  we  have  seen, 
in  1808  ;  was  installed  over  the  church  in  G-enevaand  Harpers- 
field  in  November,  1810;  and  continued  in  that  connection  ten 
years.  He  afterward  preached  in  Batavia  and  some  other 
places  on  the  Reserve  for  a  few  3^ears,  and  then  removed  to 
Centreville,  New  York,  where  he  died,  several  years  since. 

An  old  acquaintance  speaks  of  him  as  a  very  ''clever  man, 
a  Pennamite  who  .preached  in  a  peculiarly  nasal  tone,  and 
was  not  quite  as  judicious  in  some  respect^3  as  would  have  been 
desirable." 


Presbyterian    Missionaries,  41 

REV.  JOHN  BEER. 

Rev.  Jolin  Beer  was  born  iu  1772,  in  Lancaster  County, 
Pennsylvania.  Without  a  collegiate  education,  he  studied 
Theology  with  Rev.  T.  E.  Hughes  of  Beaver  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania; was  licensed  October,  20th,  1808;  received  a  missionary 
appointment  for  the  Reserve  early  in  1809 ;  was  settled  as  pastor 
of  the  church  in  Springfield,  Summit  County,  for  several  years; 
afterward  preached  for  some  time  as  stated  supply  in  ''Newton, 
Trumbull  County,  and  subser{uently  was  settled  south  of  the 
Reserve,  in  Middle  Sandy." 

REV.  JOHN  BRUCE. 

Rev.  John  Bruce  was  born  in  New  York  in  1771;  without 
a  collegiate  course,  studied  Theology  with  Rev.  T.  E.  Hughes ; 
was  licensed  and  commenced  preaching  at  Ellsworth  in  1809, 
and  was  pastor  of  that  church  five  years.  ''  After  his  dismis- 
sion he  preached  as  stated  supply  in  Newton  one  year,  and 
died  in  that  place  in  November,  1816.'' 

A  cotemporary  speaks  of  him,  as  "a  man  of  moderate  abil- 
ities, something  of  a  farmer,  in  person  a  heavy  man,  and 
severely  afflicted,  before  his  death,  with  paralysis  in  his  lower 
extremities."  Difficulties  in  the  church  at  Ellsworth  made 
his  situation  there  unpleasant  and  led  to  his  removal. 

REV.  THOMAS   BARR. 

Mr.   Badger,  in   October,   1804,    speaks  of  finding  a   Mr. 
Thomas  Barr  at  Youngstown,  "a  pious  man,   determined,  if 
possible,  to  get  an  education  in   referenc  to  the  work   of  the 
ministry;  has  a  pious,  excellent  wife  and  five  children." 
4* 


42  The    Plan    OF    Union. 

This  man  afterward  became  one  of  the  leading  ministers  of 
the  Reserve.  Mr.  Barr  has  left  an  excellent  autobiography, 
which  it  is  to  be  hoped  may  sometime  be  published.  Lest  it 
should  not,  extracts  are  given  at  some  length,  condensed  and 
abridged.  His  early  life  is  singularly  instructive  and  in- 
teresting. 

"Mr.  Barr  was  born  in  Derry,  Westmoreland  County,  Pa,,  April  2, 
1775.  When  about  two  or  three  years  old,  his  father,  Colonel  Barr, 
was  called  to  serve  in  the  revolutionary  struggle,  and  took  his  family 
to  his  wife's  father's,  near  Fort  Loudon,  Franklin  County.  Here 
Thomas  was  sent  to  school,  and  instructed  in  Dilworth,  the  Bible,  and 
the  Catechism,  which  composed  the  list  of  school-books  used  at  that 
time.  The  body  of  truth  at  that  time  acquired  from  the  Bible  and 
Catechism  he  never  lost.  It  was,  indeed,  the  instrument  of  early  and 
pungent  convictions  ;  afterward  had  some  connection  with  his  conver- 
sion ;  and  finally,  many  years  afterward,  was  of  special  value  to  him 
as  a  minister.  The  absence  of  the  father  in  the  war,  and,  afterward, 
his  murder  by  the  Indians,  and  the  stories  of  British  cruelty  related 
in  the  boy's  hearing,  soon  fired  him  with  patriotism  and  abhorrence  of 
tyranny,  producing  impressions  that  time  could  not  eradicate. 

"At  the  close  of  the  war.  Col.  Barr  again  retm-ned  to  Westmore- 
land ;  but  in  1785,  going  on  an  expedition  down  the  Ohio,  with  others, 
to  negotiate,  if  possible,  with  some  hostile  Indians,  he  was  lost.  The 
only  intelligence  ever  received  of  him  came  from  the  Indian  who  after- 
ward sold  what  was  judged  to  be  his  scalp.  We  can  not  linger  on  the 
griefs  of  the  bereaved  family.  It  was  Col.  Barr's  request,  expressed 
before  his  departure,  that,  should  he  never  retm-n,  his  oldest  son, 
Thomas,  might  be  '  put  to  college,  to  receive  a  classical  education.' 
To  this  the  attention  of  young  Barr  was  frequently  turned  ;  being 
fond  of  books,  he  was  pleased  with  the  suggestion,  and  property  enough 
fell  to  his  share  to  carry  out  the  design. 

But  such  was  the  reputation  of  colleges  as  schools  of  mischief  and 


R  E  V.      T  II  O  M  A  S     B  A  R  R  .  43 

vice,  that  the  considerate  guardian  set  himself  resolutely  against  the 
project.  'Without  murmuring,  yet  not  without  a  mental  struggle,' 
Thomas  submitted  to  the  advice  of  his  '  pious  and  intelligent '  guard- 
ian. The  substitute  fixed  upon  for  a  collegiate  education  was  an  ap- 
prenticeship of  five  and  a  half  years  to  a  Mr.  Pollock,  to  learn  the 
carpenter  and  joiner's  trade.  1  hough  Mr.  Pollock  was  a  worthy  man, 
his  apprentice  experienced  the  common  trials  of  that  kind  of  life  ;  but 
went  through  his  course  with  honor,  won  the  confidence  of  his  em- 
ployer, and,  according  to  his  own  testimony,  proved,  by  his  success, 
that  perseverance  and  fidelity  may  secure  success  in  that  for  which 
one  has  no  natural  taste  or  adaptation. 

Much  pious  counsel  and  influence  were  bestowed  upou  young  Barr 
by  his  'boss  ; '  yet,  while  in  his  employ,  he  formed  an  appetite  for  ar- 
dent spii-its,  which  came  nigh  ruining  him  for  time  and  eternity.  It 
was  the  custom  of  the  times  to  have  ardent  spirits  amongst  all  work- 
men. Mr.  Barr's  account  of  his  experience,  from  moderate  drinking 
to  confirmed  intemperance,  is  deeply  interesting  and  instructive.  I 
ministered  peculiar  unction  and  fire  to  the  pleas  which  he  afterward 
made  for  total  abstinence. 

"  Providence  provided  for  his  final  escape  from  this  evil,  by  grant- 
ing him  a  guardian  angel,  in  the  person  of  Miss  Susannah  Welch,  to 
whom  he  was  married  in  the  Spring  of  1797.  Within  a  year  from  the 
time  of  their  marriage,  the  young  wife,  led  to  seriousness  by  reading 
Dodridge's  Rise  and  Progress,  '  obtained  a  good  hope  of  eternal  life.' 
Her  life,  henceforth,  seems  to  have  been  that  of  the  model  Christian 
wife  and  mother.  In  process  of  time  Mr.  Barr  became  pecuniarily  in- 
volved, sold  his  interest  in  Westmoreland,  and  in  the  Spring  of  1800 
removed  to  Youngstowu,  on  the  Western  Reserve.  The  habit  of  in- 
temperance still  grew  upon  its  victim,  though  frequent  efforts  were 
made  to  reform.  Of  course,  the  pious  wife  ceased  not  in  her  prayers 
and  efforts  to  reclaim  her  husband.  Mr.  Barr  bears  the  following  tes- 
timony to  her  faithfulness,  at  the  time  of  their  removal  to  the  Reserve  : 
*  My  wife  had  now  brought  me  two  children.  Her  counsels  and  pray- 
ers for  my  good  were  never  withheld,  and  without  entering  into  the 


44  T  H  E     P  L  A  N     O  F     U  xN  I  0  N  . 

details  of  lier  patient,  prudent,  pious  efforts,  I  would  say,  that,  so 
far  as  human  instrumentality  was  concerned  in  effecting  my  deliver- 
ance, I  believe  she  was  the  main  instrument  —  and  from  my  own  ex- 
perience and  knowledge  of  her  course,  I  would  say  to  every  wife  so 
circumstanced,  faint  not,  nor  grow  weary  in  well-doing.' 

"The  year  1800,  it  will  be  remembered,  was  the  year  in  which  Rev. 
William  "Wick  commenced  his  labors  at  Youngstown.  *  This,'  says 
Mr.  Barr,  '  was  a  som-ce  of  great  satisfaction  to  my  wife.  She  be- 
came early  known  and  highly  esteemed  by  the  pious  in  the  community. 
She  abated  none  of  her  pious  and  prudent  efforts  for  my  spiritual  ben- 
efit, but  as  yet,  for  nearly  three  years  more  of  anxious  and  oft  disap- 
pointed hope,  she  had  to  hope  against  hope.'  At  the  expiration  of 
that  period,  during  the  general  religious  interest  prevailing  in  that  re- 
gion, Mr.  Barr  became  serious.  Mrs  Barr,  with  a  few  neighbors, 
started  a  prayer  meeting  at  their  house.  Mr.  Barr  for  some  time  tried, 
as  self-righteous  sinners  are  apt  to  do,  to  become  a  Christian.  Gradu- 
ally he  assumed  the  duties  of  family  worship,  and  even  led  in  the 
prayer  meetings,  and  was  fast  becoming  self-complacent,  and  likely  to 
settle  down  upon  a  false  hope,  when,  under  peculiar  temptation,  his 
old  appetite  for  alcohol  overcame  him,  and  he  was  led  to  see  his  impo- 
tence, and  in  deep  self-loathing,  to  break  down  in  true  penitence  be- 
fore God.  '  I  was,'  says  he,  '  stripped  naked  and  bare  of  that  good- 
ness in  which  I  had  trusted.  I  was  self-condemned,  overwhelmed 
with  the  vileness  and  greatness  of  my  sins.  Lord  save  or  I  perish, 
was  my  only  plea.'  This  was  the  'fearful,  tremendous,  joyful  hour' 
from  which  he  ever  afterward  dated  his  conversion.  The  providence 
of  God,  in  leading  him  to  see  the  vanity  of  his  self-righteousness,  by 
lapsing  into  intoxication,  and  thence  guiding  him  to  a  true  faith,  is 
notable.  From  this  time  all  things  were  made  new.  'Henceforth,' 
said  he,  thirty-two  years  afterward,  '  I  have  never  had  any  longing 
desire  or  appetite '  for  ardent  spirits.  After  seven  years  of  prayer 
and  anxious  effort,  the  good  wife  received  her  reward,  in  seeing  her 
husband  reformed  and  pious.  '  Entire  abstinence '  was  ever  afterward 
Mr.  Barr's  motto.     And  he  was  often  deeply  grieved  to  find  himself 


Rev.    Thomas    Barr.  45 

discouraged  and  opposed  in  Ins  efforts  for  this  cause,  by  many  '  tem- 
perate drinkers, '  who  had  before  reproached  him  for  his  intemperance, 
and  tried  to  reform  him  upon  the  '  moderate '  plan.  His  firm  convic- 
tion and  testimony  -was,  that  there  is  safety  only  in  total  abstinence. 

** '  A  longing  desire  for  the  salvation  of  sotds,'  now  took  possession 
of  Mr.  B.'s  mind  ;  and  in  view  of  the  pressing  need  of  more  ministers, 
there  being  onlj  two  or  three  Presbyterian  or  Congregational  ministers 
on  the  whole  Reserve,  and  about  as  many  INIethodists  and  Baptists,  he 
began  seriously  to  think  of  the  ministry.  Mr.  Wick  and  Mr.  Badger 
encouraged  the  thought;  and,  of  course,  she,  who  had  so  long  labored 
and  prayed  for  his  conversion,  could  desire  nothing  more  earnestly 
than  this.  '  There  were  however  many  opposing  considerations.  I  was 
nearly  thirty  years  of  age,  had  a  wife  and  five  children,  also  a  sister  of 
my  wife's  living  with  us  ;  had  not  property  sufficient  to  enable  me  to 
remove  and  support  myself  where  I  might  receive,  to  the  best  advan- 
tage, the  education  necessary  for  the  work.'  But  he  was  not  a  man 
to  be  kept  back  by  trifles.  In  accordance  with  his  energetic  and  de- 
cided character,  he  soon  made  arrangements  to  commence  his  prepar- 
atory studies.  The  little  farm  was  sold  for  what  it  would  bring  ;  and 
after  various  discouragements,  we  find  Mr.  Barr  and  his  family  at 
Greensburgh,  Pa.,  '  where  was  a  small  Academy  under  the  superin- 
tendence of  Rev.  T.  E.  Hughes,  designed  especially  for  the  benefit  of 
those  having  the  ministry  in  view.'  Here  the  faithful  wife  and  sister 
heartily  joined  with  the  father,  husband,  ;^  brother  and  student,  to 
struggle  against  poverty,  and  aid  him  in  acquiring  an  education  for 
the  ministry.  One  year  boarders  were  taken  ;  but  this  proved  a  los- 
ing business  ;  besides  so  overtaxing  the  time  of  Mr.  Barr  that,  allow- 
ing himself  only  four  hours  out  of  24  for  sleep,  he  was  just  able  to 
keep  up  with  his  class.  '  The  next  two  years '  he  wrote  —  '  I  erected 
a  cabin,  with  some  accommodation,  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  village, 
and  with  what  I  had  coming  from  the  sale  of  my  land,  was  enabled  to 
continue  my  studies  until  I  was  taken  under  the  care  of  Presbytery, 
as  a  candidate  for  licensure.'  Of  his  wife  and  sister  he  says  —  '  they 
fainted  not,  neither  grew  weary,  in  using  every  effort  in  their  power. 


46  The    Plan    OF    Union. 

of  labor,  industry,  economy,  care,  covinsel  and  prayer,  to  forward  me 
in  my  course  ;  and  without  this  self-denial,  work  of  faith  and  labor  of 
love  on  their  part,  humanly  speaking,  I  should  never  have  succeeded.' 
Sometimes  in  discouragement  he  would  inform  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wick  — 
'  my  pious  and  wise  pastor' — that  it  was  (yf  no  use  to  go  on — his 
means  would  not  allow  him  to  go  through.  But  the  latter  would  re- 
ply —  '  Go  on  till  you  come  to  the  stopping  place,  and  then  when  you 
can  go  no  further,  it  will  be  time  enough  to  stop.'  The  advice  was 
obeyed,  albeit  under  sore  trials.  Three  of  the  five  children  had  to  be 
kept  at  school.  Another  child  was  added  to  the  little  family,  while  at 
Greensburg.  The  toils  and  self-denials  of  the  'beloved  helper,'  were 
increased  by  the  severe  'sickness  of  two  children;'  add  a  'miscar- 
riage by  which  she  was  brought  nigh  unto  death,'  and  a  fall  from  a 
horse,  by  which  Mr,  Barr  was  rendered  for  some  time  insensible,  and 
a  much  longer  time  *  unable  to  attend  to  any  thing ;'  and  we  can  read- 
ily see  how  it  was  '  a  wonder  to  many, '  that  they  were  '  supported  and 
carried  through.'  Some  assistance  was  secured  during  the  latter  part 
of  the  course,  through  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Hughes,  of  whose  friendship 
Mr.  Barr  speaks  in  the  warmest  and  highest  temns.  The  charming 
family  meetings  where  they  two  used  to  meet  and  '  pray  together, 
with  and  for  their  dear  children,'  must  not  be  forgotten. 

"Finally  the  ordeal  was  passed,  and  Mr.  Barr  was  licensed  to 
preach,  by  the  Hartford  Presbytery,  at  their  meeting  in  Brookfield, 
Trumbull  Co.,  Sept.,  1809. 

"After  visiting  Westmoreland,  and  receiving  from  old  friends  a 
present  of  a  horse,  some  months  were  spent  in  itinerating  on  the  Re- 
serve, traveling  through  the  woods,  through  storm  and  cold,  mud  and 
'beech  roots,'  preaching  from  house  to  house,  and  in  school-houses, 
after  the  manner  of  those  days.  Mr.  Barr  had  made  up  his  mind  to 
go  to  the  Sciota  and  Miami  vallies,  where  he  heard  that  there  were 
a  number  of  vacancies.  But  this  purpose  was  defeated,  and  an  ur- 
gent call  given  him  to  settle  in  Euclid,  which  he  at  length  accepted. 
The  engagement  at  Euclid  covered  only  half  the  time;  the  rest  was  to 
Ite  employed  in  missionary  labors  under  the  patronage  of  the  Connect- 


K  E  V .    Thomas    13  a  r  r  .  47 

icut  Missionary  Society.  Mr.  Barr  speaks  in  high  terms  of  the  ef- 
forts of  this  Society,  ascribing  it  to  their  fostering  aid,  thai  the  Reserve 
80  early  became  far  better  supplied  with  ministers  and  churches,  than 
any  other  part_,of  the  State. 

"  At  the  time  of  Mr.  Barr's  settlement  in  Euclid,  the  township  con- 
tained '  about  thirty  families.'  'Most  of  these  were  favorable  to  re- 
ligious society,  though  several  of  them  were  infidels  or  universalists. 
The  members  of  the  church,  when  I  visited  it  were,  all  of  them,  origin- 
ally Presbyterians ;  but  when  first  organized  there  were  two  families 
originally  Congregationalists  among  them ;  so  they  adopted  the  mixed 
plan  entered  into  between  Presbyterians  and  Congregationalists  in 
1801.  These  two  families  had  now  moved  to  other  places. '  This  left 
the  way  clear  for  the  adoption  of  pure  Presbyterianism,  which  was 
afterwards  done  through  Mr.  Barr's  influence.  We  shall  see  that  he 
is  to  be  regarded  as  the  principal  father  and  defender  of  Presbyterian- 
ism on  the  Reserve.  The  man  who  works  his  way  into  the  ministry 
as  Mr.  Barr  did,  may  be  expected  to  hold  his  opinions  firmly,  and  to 
be  a  leader,  who  will  leave  his  mark  where  he  goes.  Such  at  least 
was  Mr.  Barr. 

"  Through  the  assistance  of  the  people  at  Euclid,  a  cabin  was  erected 
for  Mr.  Barr's  familj',  upon  a  piece  of  land  which  he  bought,  near  the 
spot  where  it  was  designed,  sometime,  to  erect  a  church.  They 
moved  to  this  place  in  June,  1810,  and  Mr.  Barr  was  ordained  and 
installed  in  August  of  the  same  year.  His  family  at  this  time  con- 
sisted of  nine  persons,  five  sons,  one  daughter  (a  second  daughter 
had  been  buried  at  the  age  of  four  years),  and  the  sister  of  Mrs.  Barr, 
who  still  remained  with  them,  sharing  through  life  the  toils  and  trials 
of  the  missionary  brother  and  sister.  The  salary  upon  which  this 
family  of  nine  persons  were  settled  was,  from  the  Church  in  Euclid, 
$180,  from  the  Missionary  Society  $200.  'It  will  be  supposed,' 
writes  Mr.  Barr,  'that  our  means  of  sustenance  were  small.  Our 
oldest  child,  a  son,  was  twelve  years  old,  our  youngest  four.  We  had 
three  cows,  and  one  horse  ;  we  sat  down  in  the  woods,  not  even  a 
garden  spot  was  cleared  oflF  when  we  entered  our  cabin,  without  any 


48  The    Plan    of    Union. 

floor  but  the  earth.'  During  the  few  years  that  intervened  before  the 
little  boys,  aided  by  their  father,  when  occasionally  he  [could  be  at 
home  and  help  them,  could  clear  off  a  few  acres  of  land  on  which  to 
raise  their^bread  ;  says  Mr.  Barr,  '  I  never  got  a  bushel  of  wheat  under 
two  dollars,  corn  generally  seventy-five  cents,  and  fresh  pork  from 
eight  to  ten  dollars  per  cwt.,  other  things  in  proportion.  In  such  cir- 
cumstances I  labored  in  the  ministry  at-home  and  abroad,  in  all  parts 
of  the  Reserve,  for  seven  years  in  succession;  then  for  about  two 
years  and  a  half  I  missionated  but  little,  being  one  year  half  my  time 
in  Newburgh,  one  year  half  the  time  at  Cleveland,  and  for  six  months 
half  my  time  near  Painesville.  In  my  ^missionary  excursions,  I  usu- 
ally averaged  five  or  six  sermons  a  week,  besides  family  and  school 
visits  ;  for  I  endeavored,  wherever  there  were  schools,  to  visit  them, 
address  the  children,  and  pray  with  them.  I  was  sometimes  oppressed 
with  calls  to  preach  funeral  sermons  at  a  distance  even  of  thirty  miles 
from  home.  Persons  who  would  never  think  of  calling  for  the  minis- 
ter to  visit,  converse  and  pray  with  their  f^^sick  while  living,  now  that 
they  were  dead,  could  not  endure  the  thought  of  burying  them  with- 
out a  funeral  sermon.  For  a  number  of  years  after  I  was  settled, 
there  was  no  minister  on  the  Lake  Shore,  nearer  than  forty  or  fifty 
miles  ;  nor  for  two  or  three  years,  any  on  the  south  nearer  than  forty 
miles.  Hence  I  was  often  called  upon  for  this  (funeral)  service.  At 
times,  when  the  minister  had  just  retm-ned  from  a  long  tedious  tour, 
weary  and  worn,  and  was  about  to  make  some  provision  for  the  comfort 
of  his  destitute  family,  an  urgent  call  would  come  for  a  funeral  sermon 
ten  miles  off;  and  no  apology  or  excuse  could  avail ;  he  must  go.' 

' '  Speaking  of  this  laborious  period  of  his  ministry,  Mr.  Barr  says  — 
'  The  Lord  in  his  providence  previously  disciplined  me  for  my  labori- 
ous service,  and  carried  me  with  an  uninjured  constitution  through 
the  whole.  I  believe,  too,  the  Lord  owned  and  blessed  my  labors  in 
many  places,  and  to  many  individuals.  The  day  will  declare  it ;  my 
work  is  with  my  God.  The  little  church  in  Euclid  grew,  and,  although 
several  deaths  of  members  occurred,  increased  from  twelve  to  between 
forty  and  fifty  members  in  the  course  of  about  three  years ;  the  youth 


llEV.    Thomas    Barr.  49 

and  children  were  instructed  in  tlie  catechism ;  public  worship  was 
well  attended  on  the  Sabbath  ;  schools  were  in  a  good  condition,  and 
the  state  of  morals  and  order  in  the  society  conspicuously  superior  to 
any  other  in  all  the  region.' 

"The  prosperity  of  the  little  parish  soon,  however,  received  a  seri- 
ous check,  upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  1811.  Many  of  the 
inhabitants  were  soon  '  on  the  wing.'  At  one  time,  under  the  influ- 
ence of  a  false  alarm  that  the  enemy  were  landing  at  Cleveland,  the 
whole  community,  pastor  and  all,  hastily  packed  what  they  could  of 
their  goods,  and  betook  themselves  to  flight.  The  roads  were  almost 
impassable;  they,  however,  advanced  but  a  few  miles  before  learning 
the  mistake  relative  to  the  enemy  ;  whereupon  they  very  gladly  re- 
turned home. 

"Afterward  Mr.  Barr  pi'oposed  to  remove  his  family  to  a  place  of 
greater  safety,  while  he  remained  with  the  remnant  of  the  flock  in 
the  wilderness.  But  the  faithful  wife  and  sister  would  not  consent  to 
a  separation.  The  good  providence  of  God  kept  the  enemy  from  in- 
vading the  place,  and  preserved  the  little  church  and  its  pastor. 

"  But  a  fatal  arrow  visited  the  parsonage  on  the  ninth  of  October, 
1812,  releasing  the  toil-worn  wife  and  mother  from  her  service,  and 
leaving  the  rest  in  mourning.  The  account  of  this  bereavement  may 
be  best  given  in  Mr.  Barr's  own  words  :  — '  The  second  of  October  my 
wife  was  delivered  of  a  son ;  was  well  as  usual  until  the  third  day, 
after  which  the  puerperal  fever  commenced,  and  carried  her  ofi"  on  the 
ninth  of  the  month,  her  babe  being  only  seven  days  old.  This  was  to 
me  a  sore  calamity.  Valued  justly  as  she  had  ever  been  by  many,  I 
felt  and  knew  a  value  in  her  beyond  what  others  did  or  could.  In  ad- 
dition to  her  efi^orts  for  my  conversion,  she  well  answered  to  God's 
original  design  of  being  indeed  an  "  help-meet  for  man."  She  was  not 
only  the  mother,  but  the  pious,  faithful,  affectionate  trainer  up  of  my 
children  in  the  way  that  they  should  go.  From  the  circumstances  of 
my  life,  first  working  at  my  trade,  oft  from  home,  next  when  pursuing 
studies,  and  lastly  my  ministerial  labors  keeping  me  from  home  half  of 
the  time,  this  important  duty  devolved  mainly  upon  her.    She  knew  and 

5 


50  The    Plan    of    Union. 

felt  its  importance,  felt  her  own  insufficiency,  girded  herself  to  the  work 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  to  him  she  looked  for  aid,  and  offered  up  many 
prayers  with  strong  crying  and  tears  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  her 
children.  Of  these  agonies  of  her  soul  they  were  frequently  the  wit- 
nesses as  well  as  the  subjects.  For  in  addition  to  those  many  seasons 
in  which  she  daily  kneeled  and  prayed  with  them  around  the  family 
altar,  she  often  retired  to  some  sequestered  spot  with  one  or  more  of 
them,  there  in  a  special  manner  to  commend  their  case  to  God.  Those 
of  them  thus  privileged  can  never  forget  those  tender,  solemn  and  im- 
pressive scenes.' 

"  Several  of  these  children  early  gave  evidence  of  piety.  Joseph, 
the  second  son,  prepared  for  the  ministry  and  received  an  appointment 
as  a  missionary  to  Western  Africa,  but  was  suddenly  cut  off  by  cholera, 
at  Richmond,  Va.,  Oct.  28,  1832.  Thomas,  another  of  the  sons,  is 
now  in  the  ministry.  John,  the  third,  is  well  known  as  a  lawyer  in 
Cleveland.  Mary,  the  only  daughter,  made  a  profession  of  religion 
at  twelve  ;  and  '  aiming  to  walk  in  the  steps  of  her  good  mother,  has 
also  been  permitted  to  see  her  own  eldest  child,  a  daugher,  giving 
evidence  of  piety  at  about  the  same  age.' 

*'Mrs.  Barr  'died  as  she  had  lived,  in  the  exercise  of  a  humble, 
spiritual  faith  and  hope.  At  the  hour  of  her  departure,  the  family 
being  gathered  around  her,  she  addressed  the  children  most  solemnly 
and  affectionately,  enjoining  upon  them  to  meet  her  at  the  right  hand 
of  the  Judge  at  the  last  day.  Her  last  words  to  me,'  says  Mr.  Barr, 
*  were — Be  faithful  in  the  ministry,  especially  be  mindful  to  warn 
parents  of  their  duty  to  their  children.  She  closed  the  scene  with  a 
most  appropriate  and  fervent  prayer,  and  in  a  few  moments  breathed 
her  soul  into  the  hands  of  her  Redeemer.'  " 

Thus  closed  that  beautiful  and  heroic  life.  Let  her  success- 
ors cherish  her  fragrant  memory,  and  in  her  faithful  life  read 
the  true  mission  and  noble  destiny  of  woman. 

For  the  next  four  years  the  bereaved  father  toiled  on  alone 


Rev.    ThoiMAS    Barr.  61 

with  his  motherless  children.  In  1816,  he  was  again  married, 
to  Mrs.  Ann  Emmett  Baldwin,  who  also  proved  to  be  one  of 
the  faithful  and  excellent  of  the  earth. 

By  his  first  wife,  Mr.  Barr  had  nine  children,  six  of  whom 
were  living  in  1833,  at  the  time  of  writing  his  ^^iography. 
By  the  second  wife  he  had  ten,  eight  of  whom  were  living  at 
the  same  date.  We  readily  see  that  to  support  such  a  family, 
upon  such  a  salary  as  ministers  generally  receive,  must  have 
required  almost  superhuman  fortitude,  economy  and  self-de- 
nial, on  the  part  of  both  husband  and  wife.  Mr.  Barr's  sec- 
ond wife  had  almost  equal  toils  with  the  first,  without  the 
aid  of  a  devoted  sister.  Of  her,  also,  he  testifies  that  having  the 
responsibility  of  training  up  the  children  mainly  devolved  upon 
her,  "with  all  the  domestic  concerns  of  the  family  of  every 
kind,  in  these  trials  and  labors  she  hath  acquitted  herself  with 
great  fidelity,  wisdom  and  piety.  Daily  family  worship,  and 
the  important  catechetical  exercises  of  the  Sabbath  have  been 
maintained  whether  I  was  at  home  or  abroad.^'  As  Mr.  Barr 
was  most  of  the  time  either  a  missionary  or  an  agent,  he  was 
necessarily  much  from  home.  "Ah,"  exclaims  he,  "how  little 
do  most  of  the  members  of  our  congregations  know  of  the  la- 
bors, privations,  trials  and  various  hardships  of  the  wives  of 
ministers.  Too  often,  instead  of  stepping  in,  as  the  members 
of  a  congregation  in  numerous  ways  might  do,  to  cheer  the 
heart  and  lighten  the  burden  of  a  minister's  wife,  laboring  to 
her  utmost  that  her  husband  may  be  acceptable  and  useful, 
too  often  instead  of  relieving,  they  add  to  a  burden  too  heavy 
now  to  be  borne,  by  cold,  unkind  neglect,  or  by  uncharitable, 
unjust  and  ignorant  censures.     Of  all  classes  of  wives,  those 


52  T  H  E     P  L  A  N     O  F     U  N  I  0  N. 

of  drunkards  excepted,  the  wives  of  poor  ministers,  with  large 
families  and  small  salaries,  have  the  hardest  earthly  lot.  But 
great  shall  be  the  reward  in  heaven  of  every  such  pious  wo- 
man, who,  in  obscurity,  poverty,  toil  and  neglect,  if  not  scorn, 
yet  in  faith,  hope  and  love,  struggles  hard  to  encourage  the 
heart  and  strengthen  the  hands  of  the  husband,  that  so  he 
maybe  a  ^  good  minister  of  Jesus  Christ.' '^  To  all  which, 
who  does  not  respond,  Amen  ? 

At  the  close  of  the  war  and  shortly  after  the  organization 
of  the  Grand  River  Presbytery,  of  which  Mr.  Barr  was,  in  a 
sense,  the  father,  he  went  as  a  delegate  to  the  G-eneral  Assem- 
bly ;  and  spent  a  few  weeks  in  soliciting  funds  for  the  erection 
of  a  church  in  Euclid.  He  raised  $800.  Encouraged  by  this, 
the  people  went  forward  and  ''  erected  a  good  two  story  frame 
building,  with  a  steeple,"  the  same  I  believe  that  is  now  used 
in  that  place,  and  the  first  of  its  kind  ever  built  on  the  Reserve. 

An  account  of  Mr.  Rarr's  agency,  in  the  formation  of  the 
Presbytery,  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  history.  His  dis- 
satisfaction and  disappointment  at  not  securing  pure  Presby- 
terianism,  was  one  of  the  prominent  reasons  that  induced  him 
eventually  to  seek  a  field  of  labor  south  of  the  Reserve.  His 
dismission  from  Euclid  occurred  in  February,  1820.  Imme- 
diately afterward  he  removed  to  Wooster,  Wayne  County,  and 
was  installed  over  the  two  churches  in  Wooster  and  Apple 
Creek.  Here  he  labored  efiiciently  and  successfully  for  sev- 
eral years,  though  much  embarrassed,  by  the  failure  of  the 
people  to  meet  their  engagements  as  to  salary,  A  prominent 
reason  for  his  eventual  separation  from  these  churches  was  the 
influence  of  a  certain  itinerant  evaugehst,    who  was  injudi- 


Key.    Thomas    13  a  r  r  .  53 

ciously  admitted  to  the  churches,  to  hold  a  kind  of  protracted 
meeting.  Proceeding  upon  the  high  pressure  system,  which 
generally  characterizes  that  class  of  irresponsible  agents,  the 
common  evils  resulted  from  this  mau's  labors.  Mr.  Barr,  like 
many  others  who  have  seen  the  fruits  of  such  efforts  and  agents, 
records  his  testimony  against  them. 

Another  reason  that  operated  for  the  close  of  Mr.  Barr's 
connection  with  these  churches,  was  the  failure  of  his  health, 
and  the  thought  that  perhaps  traveling  might  restore  it.  A 
journey  to  Philadelphia,  as  Commissioner  to  the  General  As- 
sembly, in  1828,  encouraged  him.  Shortly  afterward  he  re- 
ceived an  urgent  solicitation  to  undertake  an  agency  for  the 
General  Assembly's  Board  of  Missions.  This  was  accepted, 
and  in  his  new  employment,  he  found  a  cure  for  dyspepsia,  a 
pleasant  field  of  labor,  and  proved  an  efficient  and  successful 
worker. 

After  the  close  of  this  agency,  Mr.  Barr  preached  awhile  in 
Kushville,  Indiana,  where,  on  the  28th  of  xVugust,  1835,  he 
died  in  the  GOth  year  of  his  age.  His  excellent  partner  still 
lives,  I  think,  in  Fairfield,  Iowa. 

The  brave  and  good  man  whom  we  have  followed  so  far,  is, 
these  many  years,  '^  asleep  in  Jesus.''  But  his  influence  and 
memory  live.  His  hard,  earnest  life,  has  left  cheering  foot- 
prints. Let  it  never  be  forgotten  that  it  was  in  part  by  his 
self-denying  toil,  that  our  wilderness  was  made  to  blossom  as 
the  rose.  And  especially  let  the  young  man,  who  stands  with 
irresolute  step,  at  the  threshhold  of  life,  beset  by  a  dangerous 
appetite,  learn  here  how  to  subdue  the  tempter,  and  become 
a  blessing  to  his  age. 
5* 


54  The    Plan    or    Union. 

Old  acquaintances  speak  of  Mr.  Barr  as  a  good  and  effective 
speaker,  a  very  decided  and  somewhat  headstrong  man,  and  a 
rather  ultra  Presbyterian ;  but  all  testify  to  his  piety  and  zeal 
for  God. 

The  exceeding  interest  and  value  of  Mr.  Barr's  autobiogra- 
phy, and  the  fear  that  it  may  never  be  published,  must  excuse 
the  length  of  this  sketch,  compared  with  the  meager  notice 
given  of  many  of  his  cotemporaries,  who  left  no  such  record. 


CHAPTER  V 


INCREASE  OF  NEW  ENGLAND  MISSIONARIES. 

At  length  the  Connecticut  Society  began  to  find  more  New 
England  ministers  ready  to  venture  into  the  far  west,  and 
henceforth  the  Congregational  element  gained  upon  the  Pres- 
byterian. 

REV.  DAVID  BACON. 

Rev.  David  Bacon,  father  of  Leonard  Bacon,  D.  D.,  of  Con- 
necticut, was  born  at  Woodstock,  Ct.,  in  the  year  1770.  He 
studied  Theology  with  the  Rev.  Levi  Hart,  D.  D.,  and  served 
for  several  years  as  a  missionary  amongst  the  Indians  at  De- 
troit. In  the  fall  of  1807,  he  commenced  a  settlement  in 
Talmadge,  Summit  Co.,  0.  Assisted  by  one  E.  Frink,  he 
erected  a  log  house  on  the  south  line,  half  a  mile  west  of  the 
north  and  south  center  road. 

"As  soon  as  there  were  any  inhabitants  for  hearers,  he 
commenced  preaching,  organized  a  church  in  his  own  house, 
Jan  1,  1809  ;''  and  continued  to  labor  for  its  growth  and  the 
prosperity  of  the  town  until  Jan.  1,  1812.  About  that  time 
he  removed  to  New  England,  and  in  August,  1817,  died  at 
(55) 


56  The    Plan    of    Union, 

Hartfordj  Ct.  The  church  in  Tahiiadge,  and  the  orderly  char- 
acter, marked  intelligence,  and  prosperity  of  the  people,  have 
ever  been  standing  monuments  of  the  advantages  of  a  settle- 
ment begun  by  a  Christian  minister. 

Those  who  pass  through  the  village  of  Talmadge,  may  see 
a  curious  illustration  of  Mr.  Bacon's  geometrical  planning  in 
the  convergence  at  that  point,  of  roads  from  eight  points  of  the 
compass. 

REV.  N.  B.  DERROW. 

Rev.  Nathan  B.  Perrow,  was  born  at  New  London,  Ct.,  in 
1773,  studied  at  Hamilton  College,  and  afterward  studied 
Theology  at  Clinton,  N.  Y. ;  was  licensed  by  the  Oneida  As- 
sociation in  1801 ;  received  a  missionary  appointment  in  the 
Spring  of  1809  ;  was  employed  as  stated  supply  at  Painesville, 
in  June,  1810,  and  installed  pastor  of  the  church  at  Vienna, 
in  1811,  where  he  remained  four  years.  He  then  left  the  Re- 
serve,, buried  his  wife  during  his  absence,  returned  after  six 
years,  and  was  reinstalled  over  the  Vienna  church ;  and  con- 
tinued until  his  death,  in  1828.  He  was  called  an  eccentric 
man,  but  his  Vienna  pastorate  speaks  well  for  his  fidelity. 

In  the  Spring  of  1810,  the  "Western  Reserve  Mission  re- 
ceived an  invaluable  addition  in  the  person  of  Rev.  Giles  H. 
Cowles,  D.  D.  Indeed  this  was  the  beginning  of  a  new  era 
in  the  history  of  this  region.  Mr.  Cowles  was  the  first  of  a 
constellation  of  ministers  from  New  England,  that  soon  en- 
tered the  field ;  bringing  with  them,  if  not  deeper  piety,  at 
least  an  invincible  energy  and  perseverance,  and  an  intellectual 
and  theological  culture  unequalled  by  most  of  their  predeces- 


Increase    of    Missionaries.  57 

sors.  This  department  of  our  subject  shall  be  closed  with 
brief  sketches  of  the  lives  and  services  of  Rev.  iMessrs.  Cowles, 
Seward,  Woodruff,  Ilanford,  H.  Coe,  Treat,  Pitkin,  and  two 
or  three  others  who  entered  the  field  between  1810  and  1816 ; 
and  who  were  permitted  by  Providence  here  to  labor  long  and 
successfully,  and  establish  the  religious  and  educational  insti- 
tutions of  the  Reserve  on  a  permanent  and  comprehensive 
basis.  From  these  men,  perhaps  more  than  from  any  others, 
the  church  of  the  Reserve  has  taken  its  character;  and  to 
them  under  God  is  most  largely  indebted  for  the  richest  of 
her  history. 

Several  of  these  fathers  have,  or  have  left,  diaries  and  other 
material,  from  which  it  is  to  be  hoped  satisfactory  biographies 
may  be  hereafter  constructed  and  published. 

The  present  writer  regrets  that  he  could  not,  amid  the  cares 
and  labors  of  his  pastoral  charge,  find  time  to  enter  upon  this 
pleasant  task,  so  as  to  furnish  adequate  sketches.  But  he 
trusts  that  the  work  will  be  better  done  by  some  other  person, 
in  due  time.     Let  those  journals  be  sacredly  preserved. 

REY.  GILES  HOOKER  COWLES,  D.  D. 

One  of  the  most  efficient  and  notable  of  the  early  mission- 
aries was  Dr.  G.  H,  Cowles. 

Mr.  Cowles  wasborji  at  Farmington,  Connecticut,  in  August, 
1766.  Upon  his  mother's  side,  he  was  a  lineal  descendant  of 
Rev.  Thomas  Hooker,  D.  D.  He  was  educated  at  Yule  Col- 
lege; after  graduation  taught  school  one  year,  at  North  Salem, 
New  York,  and  then  studied  Theology  with  Rev.  Jonathan 
Edwards,    D.    D.,  and  was    licensed   to  preach  by  the   New 


58  The    Plan    op    Union. 

Haveh  West  Association  in  May,  1791.  He  preached  a  short 
time  in  Vermont;  and  declined  a  call  for  settlement  in  that 
State.  On  the  17th  of  October  1792,  he  was  ordained  as  pastor 
of  the  church  in  New  Cambridge,  near  Bristol. 

In  1799  a  powerful  revival  of  religion  occurred  in  his  parish, 
and  about  one  hundred  persons  were  added  to  his  church,  as 
its  fruits.  Other  seasons  of  marked  religious  interest  also 
occurred  during  that  pastorate. 

Mr.  Cowles  continued  pastor  of  this  church  nearly  eighteen 
years ;  and  in  May,  1810,  with  mutual  consent  and  good  feel- 
ing on  the  part  of  both  pastor  and  people,  he  was  dismissed, 
and  accepted  an  appointment  to  spend  the  following  summer, 
as  a  missionary  to  the  Western  Reserve. 

Returning  in  the  fall,  he  labored  during  the  winter  in  Groshen, 
Litchfield  County,  and  in  May,  1811  started  with  his  family 
to  Ohio.  He  reached  Austinburg  in  June;  and  upon  the 
25th  of  September  was  installed  pastor  of  the  united  societies 
of  Austinburg  and  Morgan. 

The  council  called  for  his  installation  consisted  of  Rev.  Jos. 
Badger  of  Ashtabula,  J.  Leslie  of  Harperstield,  T.  Barr,  of  Eu- 
clid, J.  Beers,  of  Springfield,  N.  B.  Derrow,  of  Vienna,  and  Rev. 
Mr.  Spencer  of  Fredonia,  N.  Y.  These  brethren  constituted 
probably  the  entire  ministry  of  the  Reserve  at  that  time. 

Although  installed  over  these  two  churches,  he  spent  much 
of  his  time  as  an  itinerant  missionary ',  and  assisted  in  organ- 
izing fifteen  churches  on  the  Reserve. 

He  took  an  active  part  in  the  organization  of  the  first 
Presbytery  in  this  region;  and  was  an  efficient  helper  in 
founding  the  Western  Reserve   College,   in  which  he  felt  the 


Increasi:    of    Missionaries.  69 

liveliest  interest,  as  the  hope  of  the  churches  for  ministers. 
He  discharged  faithfully  the  duties  of  a  pastor  to  his  charge  at 
Austinburg  until  February  3d,  1830 ;  making  his  second  pas- 
torate a  trifle  longer  than  the  first. 

In  1816,  a  powerful  revival  occurred  in  Austinburg  and 
adjoining  towns,  under  Mr.  Cowles'  preaching,  and  about 
one  hundred  converts  were  added  to  the  Austinburg  church. 
Other  awakenings,  less  marked  followed  at  different  times. 
His  labors  were  remarkably  successful ;  and  he  must  be  long 
remembered  as  the  ftither  of  many  of  the  churches  in  Ashtabula. 

After  his  dismission  from  this  charge,  he  still  resided  at 
Austinburg,  and  labored  faithfully  as  a  missionary  amongst 
the  feeble  churches,  until  April,  1834,  when  failing  health 
compelled  him  to  desist.  He  died  July  5th,  1835,  aged 
sixty-nine;  lamented  by  his  brethren  in  the  ministry  and  by 
the  churches  generally.'^ 

"His  death,  like  his  life,  was  peaceful,  serene  and  happy. 
The  mild  virtues  of  the  Gospel  adorned  bis  life,  and  shone 
forth  yet  more  benignantly  as  he  drew  near  the  grave."  As 
a  Christian,  he  was  meek  and  humble ;  as  a  minister  he  was 
faithful  and  untiring,  ever  watching  as  one  that  must  give 
account;  as  a  theologian  sound  and  systematic;  judicious  and 
conciliatory  as  a  counselor;  his  labors  could  not  fail  to  be  use- 
ful to  the  Churcb  and  the  world. '^  ^^  Mark  the  perfect  man 
and  behold  the  upright,  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace.'' 

February  5th,  1793,  Mr.  Cowles  was  married  to  Sally  White, 
of  Stamford,  Connecticut.  They  had  five  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters. The  third  son  died,  at  twenty-one  years  of  age,  the 
others  arc  all  still  living. 


GO  The    Plan    of    Union. 

Mrs.  Cowles'  death  occurred  in  August  1830,  five  years 
before  that  of  her  husband.     Her  children  are  her  monument. 

The  above  narrative  is  compiled  partly  from  Mr.  Clarke's 
notes,  and  partly  from  facts  furnished  by  Dr.  Cowles  of  Cleve- 
land, a  son  of  Rev.  G.  H.  Cowles.  Some  of  the  family  still 
live  in  Austinburg. 

REV.  JOHN  FIELD. 

Rev.  John  Field,  of  Hard  wick,  Mass.,  born  1780,  graduated 
at  William's  College  in  1807, .  was  ordained  by  an  Association 
in  Massachusetts,  and  came  to  the  "Western  Reserve  as  a  mis- 
sionary, in  the  winter  of  1810-11.  Desiring  to  enlarge  his 
knowedge  of  the  country  he  travelled  over  a  larger  territory 
than  other  missionaries  of  the  same  period ;  and  seems  to  have 
had  no  permanent  settlement  until  the  fall  of  1823,  when  he 
engaged  for  one  year  at  Atwater,  Portage  Co.  After  the  ex- 
piration of  that  year  he  ''  removed  into  one  of  the  southern 
states,  where  he  taught  school  for  a  time,  and  died  near  Natchez, 
on  the  7th  of  August,  1827. '^ 

The  Directors  of  the  Connecticut  Missionary  Society,  in  their 
report  for  the  year  1812,  say  of  him  :  —  "  Mr.  Field  resides  in 
Burton,  and  from  that  place  makes  frequent  excursions  into 
the  destitute  settlements.  With  much  self-distrust  and  appar- 
ent humility,  he  has  labored  in  season  and  out  of  season,  ac- 
cording to  his  ability  and  health." 

REY.  JOHN  SEWARD. 

One  of  the  most  estimable  of  the  venerable  fathers  of  the 
church  of  the  Reserve,  is  the  Rev.  John  Seward ;  who  still 


Increase    of    Missionaries.  01 

lives  to  eonuect  the  past  aud  the  present,  niiuistering,  as  in 
early  days,  to  "  the  few  .'^heep  in  the  wilderness." 

Mr.  Seward  was  born  in  Granville,  Mass.,  in  1784.  He 
graduated  at  Williams  College  in  the  year  1810;  studied  The- 
ology with  Rev.  Ebenezer  Porter,  D.  D.,  then  of  Washington, 
Ot.,  and  "came  to  Ohio  in  Oct.,  1811  ;  under  the  patronage  of 
the  Connecticut  Missionary  Society."  At  the  time  of  his  ar- 
rival, there  "  were  but  eight  ministers  upon  the  Reserve." 

He  commenced  his  labors,  as  did  most  of  the  early  ministers, 
as  an  itinerant  missionary;  but  within  a  year  after  his  arrival, 
he  received  and  accepted  a  call  for  settlement,  as  pastor  of  the 
church  at  Aurora,  Portage  Co.  His  installation  occurred  Au- 
gust 5,  181*2.  The  church  at  Aurora  had  been  organized  three 
years  before.  Mr.  Seward  was  its  first  pastor ;  and  the  rela- 
tionship continued  with  mutual  aflx3ction  and  confklence  for  the 
third  of  a  century.  Large  numbers  were  added  to  the  church 
under  his  ministry ;  and  the  advantages  of  a  permanent  pastor- 
ship were  very  evident,  in  its  prosperity. 

If  there  were  any  fault  in  Mr.  Seward  as  a  pastor,  it  was  in 
his  extreme  leniency  and  tenderness  for  his  flock,  particularly 
in  respect  to  his  own  pecuniary  dues.  Having  a  small  family  and 
economical  habits,  he  indulged  his  people  in  curtailing  his  sti- 
pends, until  his  charity  well  nigh  superseded  and  eradicated  theirs. 

After  his  settlement  at  Aurora,  Mr.  Seward  still  performed 
much  missionary  labor  in  adjacent  towns ;  and  was  truly  a 
father  to  many  churches  ;  of  which  ho  assisted  in  organizing 
at  least  fourteen. 

He  was  also  a  prominent  agent  in  all  ecclesiastical,  benevo- 
lent and  educational  movements  of  general  interest  and  utility; 

t; 


G2  T  II  E     P  L  A  N     O  F     U  N  I  0  N  . 

and    did   perhaps  as  much  as  any  other  to  mold  the  sentiment 
and  institutions  of  all  this  region. 

Wielding  a  facile  pen,  and  ever  observant  of  the  course  of 
things  upon  the  Heserve,  sound  in  judgment,  conservative  iu 
sentiment,  zealous  for  the  cause  of  true  religion,  and  earnest 
yet  tender  in  his  persuasions  and  expostulations,  Mr.  Se^vard 
probably  exerted  more  influence  upon  the  churches  through 
the  press,  than  any  of  his  fellow  laborers.  He  has  also  re- 
corded much  historical  matter,  relative  to  the  settlement  of 
the  Reserve,  and  the  experience  of  early  immigrants,  of  great 
interest  and  value.  It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  Mr. 
Seward  has  not  written  a  full  histf.ry,  which  should  supersede 
the  present  effort.  Many  of  the  facts  contained  in  this  work 
were  furnished  by  him  -,  and  from  his  journal,  and  the  journals 
of  other  early  missionaries,  it  is  to  be  hoped,,  that  valuable 
treasures  may  yet  be  gleaned,  for  the  benefit  of  posterity. 

These  journals  will  be  found  peculiarly  rich  in  illustrations 
of  the  self-denying,  persevering  toils,  and  extreme  privations 
incurred  by  those  v/ho  planted  and  nurtured  our  churches  iu 
their  inftmcy.  The  present  and  future  churches  and  ministers 
of  this  region,  would  be  greatly  interested  and  profited  by  the 
perusal  of  full  biographies,  and  specimen  sermons  of  these  fa- 
thers, whose  voices  are  failing,  and  will  soon  cease  to  be  heard 
amongst  us. 

Special  notice  should  here  be  taken  of  Mr.  Seward's  con- 
nection with  the  Western  Reserve  College  ;  of  which  he  has 
been  a  Trustee,  from  the  beginning  until  very  recently.  In 
all  its  history  he  has  borne  a  part ;  and  probably  it  has  from 
no  one  received  more  earnest  sympathy  and  good  will. 


Increase   of   Missionaries.  63 

In  ecclesiastical  sentiment  and  feeling,  Mr.  Seward  lias  ever 
been  a  Congregationalist ;  yet  be  entered  beartily  and  sincerely 
into  tbe  plan  of  union ;  and  remained  a  fast  friend  of  tbe 
AVestern  Reserve  Synod,  and  a  regular  attendant  upon  its 
convocations,  until  witbin  a  year  or  two. 

Shortly  after  bis  settlement  at  Aurora,  Mr.  Seward  married 
Miss  Wright,  daugbter  of  Esquire  Wright,  of  Talmadge. 
Tbougb  never  blest  witb  children,  tbey  two  still  walk  band 
in  band,  similar  in  amiability  and  meekness,  and  admirably 
adapted  to  support  and  cbeer  eacb  otber.  '^  Lovely  in  their 
lives,"  may  tbey  "  in  death  not  be  divided."  Many  are  tbe 
spiritual  cbildren,  wbo  sball  rise  up  to  call  them  blessed. 

REV.  HARVEY  COE. 

Rev  Harvey  Coe  was  born  at  G-ranville,  Massacbusetts, 
October  6tb,  1785.  He  graduated  at  Williams  College,  Sep- 
tember, 1811 ;  studied  Tbeology  witb  Rev.  Dr.  Fitcb  and  Dr. 
Cooley,  and  was  licensed  to  preacb  at  Monson,  Massacbusetts, 
October  1812. 

Tbe  Winter  after  bis  licensure  Mr.  Coe  preacbed  atSoutbwick 
and  Sbefficld,  and  was  solicited  to  settle  as  pastor  at  tbe  latter 
place.  But  liaving  turned  his  attention  to  Ohio,  be  was 
ordained  at  Westfield  in  May,  1813,  as  a  missionary,  and  im* 
mediately  set  out  for  New  Connecticut,  under  tbe  patronage  of 
tbe  Connecticut  Missionary  Society.  He  reacbed  tbe  Reserve 
and  commenced  bis  labors  in  June  1813,  and  spent  most  of 
tbe  year  as  an  itinerant,  visiting  most,  if  not  all,  of  tbe  infant 
cburcbes,  and  assisted  in  organizing  some  new  ones.  In  jVpril 
1814,  Mr.  Coe  was  installed  pastor  of  tbe  cburcb  and  united 


64  The    Plan    of    Union. 

congregations  of  Hartford,  Vernon,  Kinsman  and  Gustavus. 
These  towns  united  into  one  church,  consisting  of  about  forty 
members,  at  the  time  of  Mr.  Coe's  installation ;  but  they  had 
three  preaching  stations,  at  each  of  which  he  alternately 
preached. 

Mr,  Coe  was  the  first  minister  settled  in  Northern  Ohio,  for 
the  whole  of  his  time  and  labors.  During  a  visit  made  by 
him  to  New  England  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  Mrs.  Coe  to 
her  new  home,  '^the  Kinsman  Society  built  a  small  meeting 
house,  which  was  the  first  building  erected  in  Northern  Ohio 
exclusively  for  the  worship  of  Grod,  made  of  any  better  mate- 
rials than  logs." 

Of  his  field  and  labors  here  Mr.  Coe  writes  as  follows  :  ^'  My 
pastoral  charge  embraced  territory  enough  to  constitute  a  mis- 
sionary field,  and  my  labors  were  yery  great  and  exhausting 
in  my  own  charge.  But  God  greatly  blessed  them.  We  lived 
in  great  harmony  and  frequently  enjoyed  refreshings  from  the 
presence  of  the  Lord.  In  the  Winter  of  1 820  we  had  a  very 
powerful  revival,  which  extended  through  my  whole  charge; 
as  its  fruits  about  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  were  added  to 
the  church."  In  consequence  of  excessive  labors,  Mr.  Coe's 
health  failed,  and  he  was  obliged  to  spend  the  summer  of  1822 
in  traveling.  By  this  time  the  united  church  numbered  three 
hundred  and  seventy-five  members,  and  "Hartford  had  become 
so  strong  that  they  were  organized  and  set  oflF  as  a  separate 
church;"  Gustavus  followed  the  example  in  1823;  but  Kins- 
man and  Vernon  remained  united  until  about  the  time  of 
Mr.  Coe's  dismission,  which  occurred  in  November,  1830. 
This  event  took  place  by  the  advice  of  physicians  and  in  con* 


Increase    op    Missionar   es.  69 

"We  trust  the  Lord  did  at  leiip^tli  direct  the  inquirer;  at 
auy  rate,  after  several  months'  missionary  labor,  performed  ia 
different  parts  of  the  Reserve,  the  call  was,  though  reluctantly, 
accepted.  And  on  the  loth  of  May,  1814,  Mr.  Woodruflf  was 
installed  as  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church  and  society  in 
Talmadge.  Rev.  Messrs.  Badger,  Cowles,  Leslie,  Derrow, 
Seward  and  Hanford,  took  parts  in  the  exercises  of  installa- 
tion. '  At  the  same  time  and  place,  the  Bible  Society  of  the 
Connecticut  Western  Reserve,  was  organized,  of  which  Mr. 
Woodruflf  became  one  of  the  first  Board  of  Trustees,  and  was  an 
ardent  supporter,  and  efficient  helper.  The  exercises  of  the 
day  were  attended  in  a  barn,  standing  on  the  place  since  pur- 
chased, and  now  owned,  by  the  Church  and  Society  as  a  par- 
sonage.' From  one  half  to  one  fourth  of  the  time,  for  several 
years,  were  spent  in  itinerant  missionary  labor  amongst  the 
feeble  churches.  '  Laboring  in  this  manner  and  with  the  peo- 
ple of  his  charge  in  Talmadge,  he  spent  nine  years  and  four 
months.'  During  this  time,  the  Church  grew  rapidly  and 
prospered  in  all  its  interests.  In  great  part  through  Mr. 
Woodruff's  instrumentality,  an  academy  was  built,  the  upper 
room  of  which  was  used  for  several  years  as  a  place  of  worship. 
Near  the  close  of  Mr.  Woodruff's  labors  in  Talmadge,  a  large 
and*,  for  that  period,  elegant  house  of  worship  was  erected; 
which,  though  remodeled  in  its  internal  arrangements,  still 
stands  as  a  monument  of  the  piety  and  enterprise  of  that 
period. 

"  '  In  September,  1823,  Mr.  Woodruff  was  dismissed  from 
his  pastoral  relation,  and  labored  most  of  the  time  as  a  mis- 
sionary until  Jan.  12th,  1825,  when  he  was  installed  pastor 


70  The    Plan    of    Union. 

over  the  church  and  society  in  Strongsville,  Cuyahoga  Co/ 
Here  again  he  was  instrumental  in  building  up  a  large  and 
flourishing  church.  Here  also  he  secured  the  erection  of  an 
academy,  and  a  large  church  edifice.  '  His  pastoral  connec- 
tion with  this  people  also  continued  nine  years  and  four 
months;  and  was  dissolved  April  17,  1834.  In  each  of  these 
places,  where  he  was  stationed,  almost  exactly  the  same  length 
of  time,  he  was  faithful  and  successful  as  a  pastor,  enjoying 
several  seasons  of  special  attention  to  religion,  and  having  a 
large  accession  to  each  of  the  churches.'  The  two  academies^ 
as  well  as  the  churches,  established  by  his  efforts,  still  stand, 
and  subserve  the  purposes  for  which  they  were  designed.  '  Be- 
sides being,  as  is  believed,  the  instrument  of  many  conversions 
to  God,  Mr.  Woodruff  laid  the  foundation  of  an  order  of  things 
in  each  of  those  places  which  will  long  remain  to  bless  the  peo- 
ple who  may  dwell  there.  In  January,  1837,  Mr.  Woodruff 
was  installed  pastor  of  the  church  in  Worthington,  Franklin  Co 
And  in  the  fall  of  1838,  this  relation  was  dissolved,  and  he 
removed  with  his  large  family  to  Bainbridge,  Berrien  County, 
Michigan,  where  he  labored  in  the  service  of  the  Missionary 
Society  of  Connecticut^  till  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the 
28th  of  August,  1839.' 

"  Mr.  Woodruff  was  married  Sept.  29,  1817,  to  Miss  Mary 
Granger,  of  Talmadge,  who  became  the  faithful  partner  of  his 
life,  sharer  of  his  toils,  and  the  surviving  guardian  of  his  chil- 
dren. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woodruff  had  thirteen  children,  of  whom 
nine  grew  to  maturity.  With  so  large  a  family,  a  small  salary, 
and  with  all  the  privations  and  inconveniences  of  life  in  new 
settlements,  to  which,  in  this  case,  three  removals  and  changes 


Increase    of    Missionaries].  71 

of  place  are  to  be  added,  we  can  conceive  that  there  \Yere  op- 
portunities enough  for  self-denial  and  the  trial  both  of  the 
missionary's  faith,  and  of  his  constitution.  Hence  we  are  not 
surprised  to  hud  him  failing  at  the  age  of  fifty-six.  But  what 
must  be  the  burden  which,  in  a  case  like  this,  settles  down 
upon  the  surviving  partner  ?  Amongst  strangers,  in  the  wild 
regions  of  the  far  west,  with  nine  children,  of  which  the 
two  youngest  were  twins  under  four  yearsuof  age;  with  no 
other  means  of  support  than  a  piece  of  land,  upon  which  but 
little  cultivation  had  been  as  yet  effected  ;  in  a  region  where 
schools  and  churches  existed  only  in  embryo,  if  at  all ;  in  such 
a  place  and  circumstances,  to  have  the  husband  and  father  sud- 
denly cut  down,  is  certainly  a  most  trying  event. 

Such  was  the  lot  of  Mrs.  Woodruff  and  family.  Into  the 
details  of  the  long,  hard  years  that  followed,  we  cannot  enter. 
Industry,  economy,  resolute  energy  and  perseverance,  and  above 
all,  an  iuflexihle  faith  in  God,  these,  and  nothing  else,  can 
carry  a  family  successfully  through  such  years.  And  it  is  due 
to  Mrs.  Woodruff  and  her  children  to  state  that  she  succeeded 
in  rearing  them  respectably,  educating  them  comfortably,  and 
securing  for  them  thorough  religious  instruction  ;  and  had  the 
satisfaction  of  seeing  them  all  taking  a  reputable  position  in 
society.  The  oldest  son,  Simeon,  recently  deceased,  shared 
manfully  the  labor  and  expense  of  supporting  the  family,  and 
had  his  reward  in  the  gratitude  and  affection  of  appreciative 
brothers  and  sisters,  and  the  prayers  and  blessings  of  a  godly 
and  now  sainted  mother.  Three  sons  and  four  daughters  still 
survive. 


72  The    Plan    of    Union. 

The  remains  of  Mr.  Woodruff  rest  in  the  solitary  field  at 
Bainbridge,  Michigan,  where  his  labors  closed. 

Mrs.  Woodruff  remained  in  that  State  until  the  summer  of 
1848,  when  she  removed  to  Ashland,  Ohio,  where  her  weary, 
though  cheerful,  pilgrimage  ended,  August  22,  1853.  "  And 
so  he  glveth  his  beloved  sleej)." 

Those  who  have  read  "  Sunny  Side,''  need  only  to  have 
known  Mrs.  Woodruff,  to  have  been  assured  that  the  character 
of  Mrs.  Edwards,  as  there  delineated,  is  a  most  truthful  por- 
trait of  at  least  one  minister's  wife,  out  of  New  England;  and 
higher  eulogy  than  this  can  not  easily  be  pronounced  upon  the 
wife  of  a  missionary.  "  Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the 
Lord,  for  they  rest  from  their  labors  and  their  works  do  follow 
them." 

BEY.    WILLIAM    HANFOBD. 

Another  faithful  and  efficient  pioneer  was  added  to  the  Be- 
serve  Mission  in  1813,  in  the  person  of  Be  v.  William  Hanford. 

Mr.  Hanford  was  born  at  Norwalk,  Connecticut,  in  1787. 
He  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1808  -,  and  studied  Theology 
at  Andover  Massachusetts,  leaving  the  Seminary  in  September 
1813.  In  October  of  the  same  year,  at  the  request  of  the 
Missionary  Society  of  Connecticut,  he  was  ordained  as  an  Evan- 
gelist, at  North  Stamford  Connecticut,  and  a  few  days  after- 
ward set  out  upon  a  journey  to  the  Connecticut  Beserve,  to 
which  mission  he  had  been  previously  appointed.  He  reached 
the  Beserve  December  od,  and  spent  the  *' first  Sabbath  at 
Poland  ;  preached  during  the  following  week  at  Boardman  and 


Increase   of    Missionaries.  73 

Canfield,  and  spent  the  second  Sabbath  at  the  latter  place. 
Thence,  took  a  missionary  tour  through  Portage  and  Trumbull 
Counties;  returned  and  preached  at  Canfield,  Boardman  and 
Poland,  as  regular  stations  until  the  following;  June."  In 
June,  181-1,  he  "took  a  missionary  tour  through  the  southern 
and  western  parts  of  the  State,  visiting  Steubenville,  Marietta, 
Chilicothe,  Cincinnati,  Hamilton,  Dayton,  Columbus,  Gran- 
ville, Newark,  Zanesville,  Coshocton,  Canton,  and  other  towns 
on  the  route,  preaching  in  all  these  places,  and  becoming  ac- 
quainted with  almost  every  minister  in  the  State."  Return- 
ing to  C. infield  and  B  )ardman,  Mr.  Hanford  preached  regularly 
in  these  places  a  part  of  the  time,  being  paid  by  the  people  of 
these  churches,  performing  missionary  service  in  destitute  fields 
the  rest  of  the  time,  until  the  close  of  1814.  "Some  hope- 
ful conversions  occurred  at  Canfield,  and  a  number  were  received 
into  the  church,"  during  his  ministry  in  that  place.  In  Jan- 
uary 1815,  he  received  an  invitation  to  preach  at  Hudson,  and 
in  the  course  of  the  spring  received  calls  for  settlement  from 
the  church  in  Hudson,  from  the  church  in  Burton,  and  also 
from  that  in  Painesville.  The  call  from  Hudson  was  finally  ac- 
cepted, and  Mr.  Hanford  was  installed  over  the  Congregational 
Church  and  Society  in  that  place,  on  the  17th  of  August,  1815. 
The  installation  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  G.  H.  Cowles, 
from  1  Thessalonians  2:4. 

It  was,  however,  understood  that  Mr.  Hanford  should  still 
preach  as  an  itinerant  missionary  one  half  of  the  time,  so  long 
as  he  should  regard  it  to  be  his  duty ;  and  this  he  did  "  until 
the  meeting-house  in  Hudson  was  completed."  After  that  he 
spent  nearly  the  whole  time  at  Hudson.    As  a  missionary,  Mr. 


74  The    Plan    ofUnion. 

Hanford  "  assisted  in  forming  twenty  churches,  amongst  which 
may  bo  mentioned  the  first  Presbyterian  church  in  Cleveland, 
the  Congregational  churches  in  Strongsville,  Biecksville,  Rich- 
field, Medina,  Brunswick,  Atwater,  Ellsworth,  Johnston,  Sza." 
The  relation  between  Mr.  Hanford  and  the  Hudson  church, 
was  most  happy  and  useful :  and  continued  until  the  seventh 
of  September,  1831,  when,  at  Mr.  Hanford's  earnest  solicitation, 
he  was  dismissed,  in  order  to  accept  a  call  from  the  church  at 
Windham,  Portage  County.  The  infirm  health  of  3Ir.  Han- 
ford, rendering  him,  in  his  own  opinion,  incapable  of  discharg- 
ing the  duties  devolving  upon  him  at  Hudson,  was  the  ground 
of  his  removal.  During  the  sixteen  years  of  his  ministry  the 
church  in  Hudson  had  been  increased  by  the  addition  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty  members;  the  bond  of  afiection  between 
pastor  and  people  had  become  very  strong ;  and  a  separation 
was  of  course  painful,  as  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  "  not  a 
single  individual  in  the  Congregation  voted "  in  favor  of  the 
dismissal. 

Mr.  Hanford  was  installed  pastor  of  the  church  at  Windham 
on  the  12th  of  October  1831,  and  retained  that  connection 
nine  years.  Here  also  the  church  increased  under  his  minis- 
trations ''  from  seventy -five  to  one  hundred  and  seventy  mem- 
bers, besides  deaths  and  dismissions.'^  Increasing  infii-mity 
again  necessitated  his  removal  "  from  a  second  beloved  people." 
His  complaint  was  a  severe  pressure  of  blood  upon  the  brain, 
which  prevented  that  mental  exercise  necessary  for  sermonising, 
and  compelled  him  for  a  awhile  entirely  to  abandon  the  minis- 
try. A  year's  relaxation  and  exclusion  from  all  public  services 
so  far  removed  the  complaint,  that  upon  receiving  an  invitation 


Increase   of    Missionaries.  75 

to  supply  the  pulpit  iu  Talmadge,  Mr.  Ilaaford  consented  to 
do  so,  on  the  condition  that  they  should  as  soon  as  possible  call 
some  other  minister  to  become  their  Pastor.  He  supplied  them, 
in  all,  about  a  year  and  a  half;  and  afterward  rendered  a 
simliar  service  for  the  church  in  Middlebury,  while  destitute 
of  a  pastor ;  for  a  short  time  he  also  preached  at  Northfield ; 
but  in  each  instance  entire  physical  prostration  was  the  conse- 
quence. Mr.  Hanford  still  preaches  occasionally,  though  with 
difficulty.  He  continued  to  discharge  the  duties  of  Stated  Clerk 
for  the  Presbytery  of  Portage,  and  also  for  the  Western  Re- 
serve Synod  until  their  last  meetings;  having  filled  these 
offices  ever  since  the  organization  of  those  bodies,  the  former 
in  1818,  and  the  latter  in  18*25.  He  has  also  acted  as  "  Secre- 
tary of  the  Home  3Iissionary  Board  on  the  Reserve,  from  its 
organization,  in  1826,  to  its  close,  in  1852,  with  the  exception 
of  a  short  interval  between  1832  and  1834. 

Mr.  Hanford's  leading  characteristics  are  fervent  piety  and 
inflexible  integrity;  a  sound  judgment  and  straight-forward 
business  talent.  His  preaching  is  clear  and  practical,  and 
his  prayers  peculiarly  impressive.  A  pleasant  illustration  of 
this  is  contained  in  an  anecdote  narrated  to  the  writer  by  a 
lady  who  attended  a  protracted  meeting  in  Springfield,  shortl}'' 
after  Mr.  Hanford  came  to  the  Reserve,  in  which  he  took  a 
part.  "  During  the  reading  of  the  first  hymn  a  small  and 
youthful  looking  person  ascended  the  stand  and  took  his  sea 
with  the  ministers.  'What  is  that  boy  going  up  there  for?' 
whispered  one  lady  to  another.  The  hymn  being  sung  he 
arose  and  led  the  prayer,  in  his  peculiarly  earnest,  distinct  and 
impressive  manner.     When  about  half  through,  the  same  lady 


7G  The    Plan    of    Union. 

again  twitched  the  shawl  of  the  other,  saying,  in  a  low  tone, 
'  bless  me,  how  the  boy  prays.' '' 

3Ir.  Hanford  and  his  pleasant  companion  still  live  in  Tal- 
madge,  managing  their  own  domestic  affairs,  and  enjoying  a 
peaceful  and  happy  old  age.  Mrs.  Hanford  was  Amelia  Wright, 
daughter  of  Elizur  Wright  Esq.  of  Talmadge,  and  sister  to 
Rev.  Mrs.  Seward.  Neither  Mr.  Seward  nor  Mr.  Hanford 
have  ever  had  any  children.  But  many  venerate  and  love  them 
as  their  spiritual  parents.  Long  may  they  yet  live  to  eujoy 
the  esteem,  affection  and  reverence  of  those  who  share  the 
fruits  of  their  faithful  labors. 

REV.    LUTHER    HUMPHREY. 

Rev.  Luther  Humphrey  was  born  at  Canton,  Connecticut,  in 
1783. 

"  He  had  passed  the  age  of  twenty-four  when  he  commenced 
fitting  for  College,"  and  graduated  at  Middlebury  in  1813. 
He  studied  Theology  a  short  time  with  Rev.  Andrew  Gates,  was 
licensed  to  preach  in  1814.  and  on  the  16th  of  March,  1815, 
was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist,  at  Canton,  his  native  town, 
with  reference  to  a  mission  in  the  west.  The  following  August 
he  reached  the  Reserve  with  a  commission  from  the  Connecti- 
cut Missionary  Society.  He  soon  commenced  preaching  in 
Burton  and  Claridon,  Geauga  County;  and  in  October  1815 
was  installed  over  the  Church  and  Congregation  embraced  in 
these  two  townships,  still  spending  a  part  of  his  time,  however, 
as  a  missionary  in  different  parts  of  the  County. 

Mr.  Humphrey  was  dismissed  from  his  charge  at  Burton, 
the  27th  of  November  1828.     He  then  preached  two  years  at 


Increase    of   Missionaries.  77 

Conueaut,  Ashta]>ula  County,  and  after  that  removed  to  Ed- 
wardsburgh,  Michigan,  where  he  reniaind  several  years,  preach- 
ing as  occasiou  offered  in  various  places  to  the  people  of  that 
destitute  region.  Here  at  length  death  deprived  him  of  the 
partner  of  his  life.  Having  no  children,  his  situation  after  the 
death  of  Mrs.  Humphrey  was  necessarily  one  of  great  loneli- 
ness. It  is,  therefore,  gratifying  to  know  that  within  a  few 
years  he  returned  to  Ohio,  married  the  widow  of  Rev.  Joseph 
Treat,  and  now,  with  that  excellent  lady,  lives  at  Windham, 
Portage  County,  and  still  occasionally,  according  to  his  ability,  at 
the  age  of  seventy,  labors  in  his  Master's  vineyard. 

REV.  JOSEPH  TREAT. 

The  following  sketch  of  Rev.  J.  Treat,  was  published  in  the 
Observer,  shortly  after  his  death,  probably  by  the  Rev.  J. 
Seward. 

The  Rev.  Joseph  Treat,  who  died  at  Windham,  Portage  Co, 
0.,  on  the  9th  of  May  1841,  aged  57  years  and  5  months,  was 
born  at  New  Milford,  Conn.,  Dec.  10th,  1783.  His  constitu- 
tion was  naturally  feeble,  and  several  times  during  his  childhood 
he  was  brought  near  to  the  grave  by  sickness.  In  his  youth 
he  was  not  addicted  to  vice  or  immorality,  but  even  then  ab- 
horred flagrant  transgression.  At  about  the  age  of  20  he  first 
became  deeply  and  permanently  convicted  of  sin ;  experi- 
enced a  change  of  views  and  affections,  and  indulged  a  hope 
of  an  interest  in  the  atoning  merits  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Tliis  change  of  mind  led  him  to  a  change  of  occupation. 
Having  been  designed  for  a  farmer,  he  now  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  the  Christian  Ministry,   as  that  calling  in  which  he 


78  The    Planof    Union. 

could  do  the  most  good,  and  at  the   same    time  gratify  the  de- 
sires of  his  heart,  uow  thirsting  for  knowledge  and  longing  for 
the  salvation  of  mankind.     Difficulties  seemed  to  hedge  up  his 
way,  but  after  praying  much  for  divine  direction  he  deliberate- 
ly came  to  the  conclusion  to  commence  a  course  of  preparation 
for  the  gospel  ministry,   and  went  to  Cornwall,  where  he  be- 
gan the  study  of  Latin,  on  the  11th  December,  1804,   being 
then  just  21  years  of  age.     He  had   not  then   made  a  public 
profession  of  religion,  as  it  was  not  the  fault  of  those  days  to 
hurry  young  converts  into  the  church  without  time  for  previ- 
ous trial.     He  joined  the  church  in   1805.     He  entered  the 
freshman  class  in  Yale  College,  Sept.  9th,  1806,  and  graduated 
Sept.  12th,  1810.     On  the  21st  Sept.,  the  same  month  in  which 
he  graduated,  he  commenced  the  study  of  theology   with  the 
Rev.  Ebenezer  Porter,  of  Washington,  Ct.,  who  was  afterwards 
connected  with   the  Theological   Institution  at  Andover,  first 
as  Professor  and  then  as   President.     Mr.   Treat  was  licensed 
to  preach  at   Washington,  Conn.,  Oct.  15th,  1811,  in  the  28th 
year  of  his  age,   and  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  at  Wood- 
bury, May  25th,  1814.     After  spending  some   time  as  a  mis- 
sionary in  the  northern  part  of  Pennsylvania,  he  left  his  na- 
tive state  in  June  1816  as  a  Missionary  to  Ohio.     On  the  7th 
of  the  next  January  he,  for  the  first  time,  visited  Windham. 
On  the  16th  of  June,  1817,  the  church  and  society  of  that  place 
presented  him  a  call  to  become  their  pastor  and  spiritual  teach- 
er :  and  he  was  installed  by  the   Grand  River  Presbytery  on 
the  24th  of  Sept.   following.     He   continued   pastor  of  that 
church  about  10  years :  and  Oct.  4th,  1827,  was  regularly  dis- 
missed by  the  Presbytery  of  Portage,  receiving  this  testimony 


Increase    of    Missionaries.  79 

at  the  time  of  his  dismission  ;  that  lie  had  faithfully  preached 
to  them  the  Gospel.  During  his  Pastoral  connection  vvitli  the 
church  at  Windham  he  labored  about  half  the  time  as  a  Mis- 
sionary, among  the  destitute  and  dispersed  churches  on  the 
Reserve. 

He^was  actively  and  usefully  employed  until  within  a  few 
days  of  his  death ;  and  is  to  be  remembered  as  one  of  the  most 
efl&cient  of  the  early  ministers  of  this  region. 

His  excellent  lady  has,  within  a  few  years,  married  the  Rev. 
L.  Humphrey,  and  still  resides  at  Windham.  Two  sons  and 
two  daughters  of  Mr.  Treat,  one  the  wife  of  a  minister  upon 
the  Reserve,  still  survive. 

REV.  CALEB  PITKIN. 

Rev.  Mr.  Pitkin  was  born  in  1781,  at  New  Hartford,  Ct. 
He  graduated  from  Yale  College  in  1806;  studied  theology 
with  Rev.  Asahel  Hooker,  of  Goshen,  and  was  settled  as  a  pastor 
several  years  at  Millford,  Ct. 

He  came  to  the  Reserve  in  1816,  and  was  settled 'as  pastor 
of  the  church  at  Charlestown,  April  22,  1818.  Here  he  la- 
bored efl&ciently  until  Jan.  7th,  1826;  when  he  resigned  his 
charge  to  enter  upon  an  agency  in  behalf  of  the  W.  R.  College; 
with  which  he  has  always  been  connected. 

After  entering  upon  this  agency  Mr.  Pitkin  removed  to 
Hudson,  where  he  has  ever  since  continued  to  reside.  The 
agency  was  prosecuted  many  years;  and  both  in  this  capacity 
and  as  a  trustee,  and  principal  adviser  and  manager  in  all  the 
pecuniary  and  general  interests  oi  the  College,  Mr.  P  has  ever 
been  one  of  the  principal  functionaries.     Until  within  a  few 


80  The    Plan    OP    Union. 

years,  although  much  occupied  with  the  affais  of  the  College, 
and  the  management  of  a  farm,  he  continued  to  preach  gen- 
erally upon  the  Sabbath  to  some  of  the  weaker  churches,  in 
the  vicinity  of  Hudson. 

Although  a  New  England  man,  Mr.  Pitkin  has  always  been 
one  of  the  strongest  advocates  and  adherents  of  the  W.  R. 
Synod,  and  the  peculiar  ecclesiasticism  built  up  under  the 
plan  of  union.  Active,  resolute,  persevering,  politic,  and  con- 
servative, though  for  many  years  not  a  pastor,  his  influence  upon 
the  general  interests  of  the  church  and  religious  and  educational 
institutions  of  the  Reserve  has  been  decided  and  extensive. 

Within  a  few  years  past,  Mr.  Pitkin's  eyes  have  failed,  so 
as  to  prevent  his  engaging  in  pulpit  services. 

He  and  his  aged  partner  however  both  enjoy  a  '^  green  old 
age,"  and  he  is  still  at  the  meetings  of  his  Presbytery  and 
Synod,  one  of  the  few  survivors  of  the  generation  of  ministers 
now  fast  passing  away.  Mr.  P.  has  one  son  in  the  ministry, 
Rev.  C.  J.  Pitkin;  another  son,  a  lawyer,  lives  at  Hudson, 
upon  the  old  homestead,  to  cheer  the  declining  years  of  the 
parents.  Mrs.  Yrooman,  deceased,  late  missionary  to  China, 
was  an  adopted  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pitkin. 

Here  we  may  take  leave  of  those  venerable  and  godly 
men,  who  planted  Christian  Churches  through  this  wilderness, 
and  by  whose  agency  the  Gospel  kept  pace  with  the  settlement 
and  cultivation  of  the  country. 

They  were  laborious,  self-denying,  patient,  persevering  mis- 
sionaries, seeking  and  finding  their  reward  in  the  work  they 
were  called  to  do  for  their  Lord.  The  future  will  appreciate 
and  honor  their  memory. 


Increase    of    Missionaries.  81 

Amid  all  kinds  of  discouragement  they  continued  planting 
and  watering  the  little  churches  in  the  wilderness;  until  the 
time  arrived  for  collecting  them  into  ecclesiastical  bodies.  No 
Presbytery  nor  association  was  formed  until  the  year  1814; 
when  the  number  of  churches  already  organized  was  about 
thirty. 

The  ecclesiasticism  of  the  Reserve  has  been  the  subject  of  so 
much  discussion,  that  I  shall  present  it  as  a  distinct  part  of 
this  work.  This  first  part  shall  be  concluded  with  some  sta- 
tistical tables,  giving  the  strength  of  the  churches  at  different 
dates.  Perhaps  the  most  valuable  items  in  this  book  are  the 
tables  and  notes  furnished  by  Rev.  A.  R.  Clark,  now  of  Wel- 
lington; presenting  a  complete  view  of  all  the  churches  and 
ministers,  up  to  Nov.  1835.  In  the  notes  I  have  omitted 
Mr.  Clark's  notice  of  those  ministers,  of  whom  sketches  are 
given  in  the  preceeding  pages,  since  in  seveml  instances  there 
would  be  only  a  repetion  of  the  same  statements. 


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94  The    Plan    OF    Union  • 


NOTES  — BY  REV.  A.  R.  CLARK. 

ASHTABULA    COUNTY. 

Andover. — First  Church.  At  its  formation  until  1832,  this  church 
embraced  two  townships,  Andover  and  Cherry  Valley.  A  dispute 
finally  arose  about  the  location  of  a  house  for  puplic  worship.  One 
party  maintained  that  it  ought  to  be  in  the  center  of  the  township,  and 
the  other  that  it  should  be  on  the  "State  Road,"  in  the  west  part 
of  the  township.  And  finally  the  church  was  divided,  and  a  new 
one  formed. 

The  men  who  have  preached  more  or  less  to  this  people,  are  Messrs. 
Breck,  Woodrufi",  Beardsley,  and  Loring.  Mr.  Breck  left  Andover 
Theological  Seminary  in  1823.  Soon  after  completing  his  education, 
he  immigrated  to  this  country  —  labored  as  "  stated  supply"  for  some 
time  in  Harrisvilleand  Wadsworth,  Medina  county  —  was  settled  pastor 
over  this  church  somewhat  more  than  a  year,  —  and  after  his  dismission, 
he  preached  as  "  stated  supply  "  in  Brecksville,  Cuj-ahoga  coimty,  from 
whence  he  removed  to  Cleveland  in  1831  or  1832,  and  commenced 
teaching  a  high  school,  where  he  still  continues.  Mr.  Woodrufi",  the 
next  minister,  preached  to  this  church  a  part  of  his  time  one  year. 

Mr.  Beardsley,  after*closing  his  theological  studies  at  Auburn  The- 
ological Seminary,  spent  some  time  in  New  York  State,  in  teaching 
school.  He  came  to  this  country  in  1831,  and  established  himself  in 
Jeff"erson,  the  seat  of  justice  in  this-  county.  Here  he  also  engaged  in 
teaching  the  academy,  and  at  the  same  time  in  preaching  to  the  church, 
and  to  that  of  this  place,  until  1833,  when  he  removed  to  Freedom, 
Portage  county,  where  he  labored  in  the  ministry  till  July,  1833,  and 
then  removed  to  Atwater,  having  received  a  call  from  the  people  of 
that  place.  He  still  cotinues  at  Atwater.  Mr.  Loring  left  Ando- 
ver Theological  Seminary  in  the  class  of  1833.  After  his  arrival  in 
this  country,  he  labored  a  few  months  among  the  inhabitants  on  the  Ohio 
Canal,  where  there  were  no  chm-ches  formed,  and  but  a  few  professors 
of  religion  resided.     Subsequently,  he  preached  six  months  in  Bain- 


Notes — A  shtabula  County  .     95 

bridge,  Geauga  county,  aud  then  six  months  in  Wayne  and  Andovcr. 
He  has  since  returned  to  New  England. 

Second  Church.  This  church  has  enjoyed  the  hibors  of  Dr.  Cowlea. 
Both  it  and  the  Jlrst  church  are  now  destitute. 

Ashtabula.  This  town  is  established  on  a  river  by  the  same  name, 
and  contains  a  flourishing  village,  situated  two  or  three  miles  from 
Lake  Erie.  The  church  has  never  had  a  settled  pastor,  but  has  been 
supplied  at  different  times  by  Messrs.  Pratt,  Badger,  H.  Cowlea,  G.  H. 
Cowles,  Scott,  and  Root.  The  Presbyterians  and  Baptists  have  at 
times  united  in  supporting  the  gospel,  having  one  year  a  Baptist  cler- 
gymiin,  and  the  next  a  Presbyterian.  Mr.  Scott  never  had  a  collegi- 
ate education.  He  left  Bangor  Theological  Seminary  in  1831,  and 
soon  after  came  to  the  Reserve.  He  labored  for  a  time  in  this  place, 
Monroe,  Pierpont,  and  Conneaut  —  then  one  year  in  Euclid,  Cuyahoga 
county,  and  in  Februrary,  1835,  was  installed  pastor  of  the  church 
in  Chester,  Geauga  Co.,  and  in  Oct.  following  was  dismissed.  Mr.  Root 
was  a  student  at  Auburn  Theological  Seminary.  He  preached  one  year 
in  Ashtabula ;  and  has  since  been  ordained  as  an  evangelist,  by  the 
Monroe  Presbytery,  and  is  now  preaching  in  Dexter,  Michigan.  The 
church  in  this  place  is  now  vacant. 

AusTiNBURG.  This  town  was  early  settled  by  an  enterprising  class 
of  inhabitants,  who  were  also  friends  to  morality  and  religion.  A 
church  was  gathered  in  1801,  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Badger,  the  year  after 
he^arrived  in  this  country,  and  it  has  been  much  favored  with  repeated 
revivals' of  religion,  under  the  ministry  of  the  two  Cowleses.  It  is 
now  vacant.  There  has  recently  been  established]in  this  town,  a  man- 
ual labor  school,  which  is  to  be  taught  by  Mr,  Ralph  M.  Walker,  late 
tutor  in  the  Western  Reserve  College.  Dr.  Cowles  was  installed  Sep- 
tember 25th,  1811.  He  discharged  faithfully  the  duties  of  a  minister 
of  Jesus  Christ  to  this  people  until  February  3d,  1830,  when  by  mu- 
tual consent,  his  pastoral  relation  was  dissolved.  Mr.  Henry  Cowles 
studied  divinity  at  New  Haven  Theological  Seminary,  and  with  Rev. 
Ralph  Emerson,  D.  D.,  of  Norfolk,  Connecticut,  and  now  professor  in 
the  Theological  Seminary  at  Andovcr.     Mr.   Cowles  preached  over  a 


96  The    Plan    of    Union. 

year  in  Ashtabula  —  subsequently  in  Sandusky,  Huron  county  —  and 
from  Sept.,  1830,  until  Oct.,  1835,  he  continued  as  "  stated  supply  "  and 
pastor  of  the  church  in  Austiuburg.  Having  been  invited  to  the  profes- 
sorship of  languages  in  theOberlin  Collegiate  Institute,  he  was  dismis- 
sed from  his  pastoral  charge  in  October  last,  and  immediately  entered 
upon  his  new  duties  at  Oberlin. 

CoLEBROOKand  Orwell.  This  church,  formed  in  1831,  has  enjoyed 
successively  the  labors  of  four  ministers,  Messrs.  Austin,  Cowles, 
Pepoon,  and  Danforth.  Mr.  Austin  came  into  this  country  at  an 
early  day.  He  had  previously  commenced  study  with  a  view  of  ob- 
taining a  liberal  education  ;  but  by  reason  of  ill  health,  was  obliged  to 
relinquish  his  object.  He  pursued  theological  studies  for  several  years 
under  the  tuition  of  Dr.  Cowles  of  Austinburg,  and  was,  in  1827,  li- 
censed to  preach  the  gospel.  Since  he  entered  the  ministry,  he  has  for 
the  most  of  the  time  engaged  in  the  labors  of  an  itinerant  missionary. 
He  continues  to  reside  at  Austinburg.  Mr.  Pepoon  studied  theology 
for  a  time  with  Kev.  Dr.  Cowles  of  Austinburg;  in  1825  was  licensed 
to  preach,  after  which  he  spent  about  one  year  at  Auburn  Theological 
Seminary.  Since  leaving  Auburn,  Mr.  Pepoon  has  preached  for  dif- 
ferent periods  of  time,  to  eleven  churches.  Mr.  Danforth  left  Auburn 
Theological  Seminary  in  1829.  Spent  two  or  three  years  in  Indiana, 
and  the  western  part  of  Ohio  —  afterwards  preached  one  year  to  the 
churches  of  Bainbridge  and  Mantua  —  then  one  year  in  Brookfield  and 
Hubbard  —  and  since  in  Rome  one  year ;  and  now  preaches  to  this 
church  and  resides  in  Orwell. 

CoNNEArr.  This  town,  formerly  named  Salem,  is  situated  in  the 
north-eastern  corner  of  the  State,  and  on  a  river  of  the  same  name. 
It  has  enjoyed  but  little  regular  preaching.  Dr.  Cowles  labored  here 
a  part  of  his  time  for  two  years,  and  Mr.  Humphrey  for  more  than 
two.     It  is  now  destitute. 

Geneva  and  Harpersfield.  This  church,  at  its  formation,  spread 
over  the  territory  now  occupied  by  the  two  churches  in  Madison,  and 
the  church  in  Unionville.  It  is  now  vacant.  Mr.  Leslie,  its  first  set- 
tled pastor,  studied  theology  with  Rev.   John  M'Millan,    D.  D.,  then 


No TES  —  Ashtabula  County.     97 

professor  and  Vice  President  of  Jefferson  College.  He  -was  licensed  in 
June,  1807,  and  commissioned  in  March  following,  by  the  Connecticut 
Missionary  Society,  to  come  to  the  Reserve,  and  under  their  patronage 
he  has  labored  more  or  less  since.  He  was  ordained  as  an  evangelist 
in  July,  1808;  and  installed  over  the  church  in  Geneva  and  Harpers- 
field,  November,  1810,  and  continued  in  this  connection  ten  years.  He 
has  also  labored  as  stated  supply  in  one  or  two  other  places ;  and  he  now 
preaches  in  Batavia,  Geauga  county,  and  lives  in  Harpersfield.  Mr. 
Pratt  was  first  educated  for  a  physician,  and  in  this  profession  he  prac- 
ticed some  time  in  Andover,  in  this  county.  He  studied  theology  under 
the  tuition  of  Dr.  Cowles,  of  Austinbm*g,  and  Rev.  Harvey  Coe,  of 
Vernon,  Trumbull  county  —  was  licensed  in  February,  1821,  and  or- 
dained in  1822,  He  commenced  preaching  as  stated  supply  to  this 
church  in  May,  1821,  and  was  installed  June  23,  1824 ;  in  which  con- 
nection he  remained  over  eleven  years.  He  has  also  labored  in  sev- 
eral other  churches,  and  is  now  preaching  in  Claridon,  Geauga  county. 

Jefferson.  This  church  is  now  vacant.  —  Mr.  Chapin  left  Andover 
Theological  Seminary  in  1831 ;  soon  after  came  to  the  Reserve,  and 
supplied  the  second  church  in  Madison  and  the  church  in  Montville ; 
then  the  church  in  this  place,  where,  at  the  same  time,  he  taught  the 
academy ;  and  more  recently,  supplied  the  west  church  in  Farming- 
ton,  Trumbull  county,  where  he  is  also  teaching  an  academy. 

KiNGSViLLE.  This  church  was  supplied  by  Mr.  Badger,  and  after- 
ward by  Mr.  Palmer,  whose  theological  studies  were  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Cayuga  Presbytery  of  New  York.  He  was  licensed  by 
that  body  in  July,  1820 ;  and  in  February  following,  was  installed  over 
the  second  church  in  Genoa,  New  York.  After  his  dismission,  he  came 
to  Kingsville,  in.  1824,  where  he  continued  until  1829.  "^Vhile  here, 
he  suflfered  from  bleeding  at  the  lungs,  which  disabled  him  for  a  sea- 
son to  preach.  During  his  ministry  at  Chester,  Geauga  county,  he 
spent  one  summer  as  commander  of  a  schooner  on  Lake  Erie,  and  his 
influence  on  the  sailors  was  salutary.  He  has  more  recently  preached, 
as  his  health  would  permit,  to  the  church  in  Ridgefield  and  Monroe, 
Huron  county.  Mr.  Kelly  is  the  son  of  Rev,  Mr.  Kelly,  of  Hamp- 
9 


98  Tnfi    Plan    of    Union. 

stead,  New  Hampshire.  He  left  Andover  Theological  Seminary  with 
the  class  of  1822;  was  licensed  by  the  Londonderry  Presbytery,  and 
ordained  over  the  Congregational  chm-ches  in  Parsonsfield  and  New- 
field,  Maine,  and  dismissed  June  27,  1827 :  was  installed  over  the 
church  in  Eangsville,  in  1829  ;  dismissed  July  9,  1884  ;  and  installed 
on  the  same  day  over  the  first  church  in  Madison,  Geauga  county, 
where  he  still  continues.  While  at  Kingsville,  Mr.  Kelly  supplied  for 
a  time  the  church  in  Sheffield.  Mr.  Latham  studied  theology  with 
Rev.  Mr.  Packard,  of  Shelburne,  Massachusetts,  and  came  to  the 
Reserve  in  1834,  and  still  preaches  in  Kingsville. 

Lenox.     This  church  has  enjoyed  for  a  season  the  labors  of  Dr. 
Cowles  and  Mr,  Austin.     Mr.  Austin  continues  as   "stated  supply." 
*MiLLSFORD.     This  church  is  now  destitute. 

Monroe.  This  church  has  enjoyed  successively  the  labors  of  Messrs. 
WoodruflF,  Cowles,  Scott,  Pratt,  and  Woodruff.  Mr.  J.  A.  Woodruff, 
the  present  minister,  is  son  of  Rev.  E.  T.  Woodruff.  He  studied  a 
short  time  at  Aubvirn  Theological  Seminary,  and  was  licensed  to  preach 
the  gospel.  While  supplying  the  church  in  Warren,  Trumbull  county, 
he  received  a  call  from  the  second  church  in  Madison,  and  the  church 
in  Unionville,  to  become  their  pastor;  was  installed  June,  1834  ;  and 
dismissed  July,  1835. 

Morgan.  This  church  was  formerly  connected  with  the  Austinburg 
church,  until  1819,  when  it  received  a  distinct  and  separate  organ- 
ization. Its  first  pastor  was  Mr.  Stone,  who  continued  with  them  nine 
years.  He  also  supplied  several  other  churches,  during  his  ministry 
at  Morgan.  After  his  dismission,  he  became  editor  of  the  Ohio  Obser- 
ver, in  which  capacity  he  remained  two  or  three  years ;  and  after- 
ward removed  to  New  England,  where  he  spent  several  years,  preach- 
ing in  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut.  Recently,  he  has  returned  to 
the  Reserve.  Mr.  Tracy  was  the  next  minister  in  Morgan.  And  his 
successor  was  Mr.  Child,  who  fitted  for  college  at  Phillips  Academy, 
Andover,  Mass.,  but  in  consequence  of  ill  health,  never  entered  college. 
After  closing  his  theological  studies  at  Auburn  Theological  Seminary, 


Notes  —  Ashtabula  County.  99 

he  came  to  the  Reserve,  and  commenced  supplying  the  churches  of 
Morgan  and  Rome,  October,  1829;  over  which  he  was  installed  pastor 
in  the  year  following.  He  was  dismissed  from  his  charge  by  reason 
of  ill  health,  in  1833.  For  the  greater  part  of  the  time  since  his  dis- 
mission, he  has  been  laid  almost  entirely  aside  by  sickness.  He  ia 
now  preaching  in  Warsaw,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Pratt,  who  preached  the  last 
year  in  Monroe,  is  his  successor. 

New  Lime,  Rome,  Sheffield,  and  Windsor.  These  churches  are 
now  destitute. 

PiKRPONT.     Rev.  E.  T.  Woodruff,  is  now  supplying  this  church. 

W^iLLiAMSFiELD  and  Wayne.  This  church  formerly  embraced  the 
whole  of  these  two  townships.  But  a  few  years  since,  division  arose 
in  relation  to  the  location  of  a  place  for  public  worship.  A  small  stream 
of  water,  which  runs  through  about  the  centre  of  the  then  congrega- 
tion, was  one  source  of  contention.  There  were  also  other  causes, 
all  of  which  finally  resulted  in  the  formation  of  a  new  church  in  the 
township  of  Wayne.  Mr.  Coe  studied  theology  with  Rev.  John  Seward, 
of  Aurora,  Portage  county,  and  Rev.  Harvey  Coe,  of  Vernon,  Trumbull 
county.  He  supplied  at  different  times,  the  church  of  Mantua,  Por- 
tage county  —  of  Dover,  Cuyahoga  county  —  of  Williamsfield,  Ashta- 
bula county  —  of  Lyme,  and  of  Greenfield,  Huron  county  —  and  of 
Vernon,  Trumbull  county.  Since  1822,  Mr.  Coe  has  spent  a  good 
portion  of  his  time  as  a  missionary  among  the  Indians  of  Maumee  ; 
and  among  some  of  the  tribes  living  on  the  borders  of  the  Lakes  of 
St.  Clair  and  Huron.  Mr.  E.  T.  Woodruff  studied  theology  under 
the  tuition  of  Rev.  Charles  Backus,  D.  D.,  of  Somers,  Conn.  In  1800 
he  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the  church  in  North  Coventry, 
Conn.  ;  and  dismissed  November,  1817,  by  reason  of  ill  health.  He 
soon  after  emigrated  to  this  country,  and  found  the  change  of  climate 
favorable  to  his  constitution.  His  health  was  so  much  restored,  that 
in  August,  1819,  he  was  installed  over  the  church  of  Williamsfield 
and  Wayne,  and  dismissed  in  1835.  From  the  time  he  came  to  the 
Reserve,  Mr.  Woodruff  spent  a  portion  of  his  time  at  different  periods, 
as  "  stated  supply"  in  Milton  and  Newton,   Austintown,  Brookfield, 


100  The  Plan    of  Union. 

and  Southington,  Trumbull  county  ;  Parkman,  Geauga  county  ;  Mou- 
roe,  Andover  first  church,  and  Pierpont,  Ashtabula  county.  He  still 
lives  in  Williamsfield,  and  preaches  in  Pierpont.  Mr.  Bascom,  on 
closing  his  studies  at  Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  commenced 
laboring  in  Lower  Sandusky,  west  of  the  Reserve,  where  he  preached 
one  year.  Afterward  laboring  in  this  place  sis  months,  and  is  now 
preaching  in  Chester,  Meigs  county.  The  church  in  Williamsfield Js 
now  destitute. 

Wayne.     This  church  has  enjoyed  successively  the  labors  of  Messrs. 
Cowles,  Russ,  and  Loring.     It  is  now  destitute. 

CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 
Brecksville.  This  church  has  had  stated  supplies  successively 
from  Messrs.  Shaler,  Breck,  Pepoon,  and  Chapin.  Mr.  Shaler 
preached  here  a  part  of  his  time,  one  year  while  he  was  pastor  of  the 
chiu'chin  Richfield,  Medina  county.  Mr.  Chapin  studied  theology  with 
Rev,  Drs.  Nott  and  Yates,  of  Union  College,  and  was  settled  pastor 
for  several  years  in  Granby,  Mass.  Soon  after  his  dismission  from  that 
place,  he  came  to  the  Reserve,  in  1830  —  labored  in  the  townships  of 
Newbury  and  Russell,  where  he  gathered  two  churches  —  went  from 
thence  to  Willoughbj  (then  called  Chagrin),  Cuyahoga  county,  and 
there  also  gathered  a  church,  which  he  supplied  a  year  or  two,  and 
subsequently  he  commenced  preaching  to  the  church  in  this  place, 
where  he  still  continues. 

Brooklyn.  This  church  has  enjoyed  successively  the  labors  of  Messrs. 
McLean  Bradstreet,  and  Drake,  —  Messrs.  McLean  and  Bradstreet 
preached  here  one  year,  each  a  part  of  the  time,  while  they  were  sup- 
plying the  church  in  Cleveland.  Mr.  McLean  was  subsequently  set- 
tled at  Beavertown,  Pa.  Mr.  Drake  served  an  apprenticeship  to  the 
printing  busines.  He  had  serious  thoughts  of  going  in  the  capacity 
of  a  printer  on  a  foreign  mission  ;  but  ill  health  prevented.  He  had 
for  years  a  strong  desire  to  study  for  the  ministry,  but  could  not  divest 
his  mind  of  the  impression  that  he  was  unfit  for  the  holy  and  responsi- 
ble work,  until  it  was  too   late  to  pui'sue  a  regular  collegiate  coui-se. 


Notes  —  Cuyahoga  County.     101 

He  studied  theology  -witli  Rev.  S.  W.  Brace,  of  Skaneateles,  and  Rev . 
Levi  Parsons,  of  Manlius,  N.  Y. — was  licensed  June  21,  1831,  and 
ordained  as  an  evangelist,  August  7,  1833,  and  soon  after,  came  to  the 
Reserve  and  commenced  preaching  in  this  place.  He  had  previously 
preached  for  a  season  in  New  York  State. 

Cleveland.  Six  years  ago  there  were  but  three  or  four  male  Pres- 
byterian professors  in  town.  Now  the  church  contains  nearly  200  mem- 
bers, many  of  whom  are  among  the  first  in  the  place,  both  in  intelli- 
gence and  wealth.  Mr.  Bradstreet,  the  successor  of  Messrs.  McLean 
and  Stone,  left  Andover  Theological  Seminary  with  the  class  of  1822 
—  labored  in  Cleveland  from  August,  1823,  to  January,  1830,  and  sub- 
sequently in  Vermillion,  Huron  county.  While  at  Vermillion,  his 
health  failed,  so  that  he  was  unable  to  preach,  except  occasionally. 
About  this  time  he  accepted  an  invitation  to  become  editor  of  the  Ohio 
Observer,  in  which  business  he  continued  somewhat  over  one  year,  from 
the  summer  of  1833.  After  leaving  the  paper,  he  commenced  preach- 
ing in  Perrysburg,  on  the  Maumee  river,  in  Wood  county,  where  he 
still  continues  with  improved  health.  Mr.  Hutchings  left  Princeton 
Theological  Seminary  with  the  class  of  1833,  and  after  preaching  in 
Cleveland  between  one  and  two  years,  he  embarked,  under  the  patron- 
age of  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions, 
on  a  mission  to  Ceylon.  Mr.  Aiken,  the  successor  of  Mr.  Keep,  and 
the  present  minister  at  Cleveland,  left  Andover  Theological  Seminary 
in  1817 — was  settled  for  a  number  of  years  in  Utica,  N.  T.,  from 
which  place  he  was  called  to  take  the  charge  of  the  church  in  this 
place.  While  at  Utica,  he  was  permitted  to  witness  a  powerful  re- 
vival of  religion  among  his  people 

Village  Church.  This  church  in  1834  was  set  off  from  the  church  in 
Cleveland.  Cuyahoga  river  separates  them.  Mr.  Keep  studied  theol- 
ogy with  Rev.  Asahel  Hooker,  of  Goshen,  Conn.  — |was  settled  for  a 
number  of  years  in  Blandford,  Mass.,  during  which  time  he  per- 
formed an  agency  of  several  months  for  the  American  Education  Soci- 
ety— was  afterwards  settled  in  Homer,  N.  Y.,  and  on  being  dismissed 
from  that  place,  he  came,  by  invitation,  to  Cleveland,  and  there 
0  * 


102  The   Plan  of    Union. 

commenced  laboring  in  December,  1833.  Last  May  he  left  Cleveland 
and  commenced  as  '*  stated  supply  "  to  preach  to  the  church  in  this 
village.  Mr.  Keep,  dxu'ing  his  ministry  thus  far,  has  witnessed 
several  revivals  of  religion. 

Dover.  After  Mr.  Coe,  Mr.  Hyde  labored  here  some  time  as  stated 
supply,  and  then  was  called  to  the  first  church  in  Madison,  Geauga 
county.  Mr.  McCrea  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Harvey  Coe,  of  Ver- 
non, Trumbull  county.  He  continued  pastor  of  the  church  in  Dover 
about  seven  years  and  a  half — then  spent  three  years  as  "stated 
supply"  in  Westfield  and  Harrisville,  Medina  county  —  was  installed 
over  the  church  in  Penfield,  Lorain  county,  September,  1834,  and  dis- 
missed, October,  1835.  He  now  resides  at  Westfiield,  and  preaches 
south  of  the  Reserve.  Mr.  Keys  studied  theology  with  Rev.  James 
Richards,  D.  D.,  of  Morristown,  N.  J.,  and  now  professor  in  Auburn 
Theological  Seminary — and  with  Rev,  John  Rogers,  D.  D.,  of  New 
York  City  —  was  licensed  August  3,  1805  —  ordained  in  Perth  Amboy, 
N.  J.,  August  21,  1807  —  was  installed  over  the  chuixh  in  Talmadge, 
Portage  county,  September,  1824,  and  remained  pastor  nearly  8  years 
—  preached  in  Dover  over  3  years,  and  has  recently  left  the  place. 
The  Dover  church  was  organized  in  Lee,  Mass.,  June  5,  1811,  with  a 
view  to  be  established  in  this  place.  The  members  removed  in  the 
following  autumn,  and  at  present  are  without  a  minister. 

Euclid.  This  church  had  two  settled  pastors,  iVEessrs.  Barr  and 
Peet,  and  four  "  stated  supplies,"  Messrs,  Stone,  Bradstreet,  Scott,  and 
Adams.  Mr.  Barr  was  father  of  the  late  lamented  Joseph  Barr,  who 
died  of  the  cholera,  on  the  eve  of  embarking  for  Africa,  to  preach  the 
gospel  to  the  benighted  inhabitants  of  that  continent.  At  the  time 
of  Mr.  Barr's  ordination  (1810),  there  were  on  the  Reserve,  besides 
himself,  six  Presbyterian  ministers ;  Joseph  Badger,  William  Wick, 
Nathan  B.  Derrow,  Jonathan  Leslie,  Joshua  Beer,  and  John  Bruce, 
three  of  whom  are  now  living,  Mr.  Wick  was  the  first  installed 
minister  on  the  Reserve,  though  Mr.  Badger  commenced  his  mission- 
ary labors  a  few  months  previous.  Mr.  Peet  studied  theology  at 
Princeton  and  Auburn  Theological  Seminaries  —  was  pastor  of  the 


Note  s — 0  u  y  a  ii  o  g  a  County.  103 

church  in  Euclid  more  than  7  years  and  in  April,  1833,  was  dis- 
missed to  accept  an  Agency  for  the  American  Seaman's  Friend  Society, 
for  the  western  waters.  In  this  capacity  he  has  acted  since,  and  re- 
sides at  Buifalo,  N.  Y.  [He  has  lately  become  editor  of  the  Buffalo 
Spectator.]  Mr.  Adams  left  And  over  Theological  Seminary  with  the 
class  of  1827.  He  spent  some  time  in  the  Southern  States,  and  also 
in  New  England,  and  arrived  on  the  Reserve  in  1834,  and  commenced 
preaching  in  Euclid,  September,  1834,  where  he  still  continues. 

NEWBUPwGand  Rockport.  These  churches  never  had  regular  "sta- 
ted supplies,"  but  occasional  preaching  from  different  ministers,  at 
different  times. 

Solon.  Two  or  three  years  since,  a  colony  of  Christians  from  Bos- 
cawen  and  Canterbury,  N.  H.,  emigrated  to  this  place,  where  Mr. 
Nutting  had  been  prsaching  for  some  time.  After  graduating  at  Dart- 
-  mouth  College,  he  labored  as  an  instructor  in  Randolph  Academy, 
Vermont,  6  years  —  then  three  years  in  Catskill  Academy,  New  York, 
where,  at  the  same  time,  he  studied  theology  with  Rev.  David  Porter, 
D.  D.  After  closing  his  services  in  that  place,  he  returned  to  Randolph, 
and  taught  ti.e  Academy  6  years  longer,  except  a  part  of  one  year, 
which  he  spent  in  teaching  in  Hampden-Sydney  College,  Virginia.  In 
1829  Mr.  Nutting  was  elected  professor  of  languages  in  Western  Re- 
serve College. 

Strongsvillk.  Mr.  Woodruff  was  settled  pastor  of  the  church  in 
Strongsville  about  9  years  and  dismissed  in  April,  1834.  Mr.  Blood 
left  Andover  Theological  Seminary  in  1831 — preached  about  3  years 
in  Kentucky,  and  in  the  southern  part  of  Ohio:  from  whence,  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1834,  he  removed  by  invitation,  to  Cleveland,  to  labor  in  be- 
half of  the  boatmen  on  Lake  Erie,  and  continued  here  until  Novem- 
ber following,  when  he  commenced  preaching  in  Strongsville. 

WiLLOUGHBY.  In  this  place  is  established  the  Willoughby  Univer- 
sity, the  medicul  department  of  which  has  already  gone  into  opei-a- 
tion,  but  not  with  very  flattering  prospects  of  success.  The  church  is 
at  present  vacant. 


104  The    Plan    of    Union. 


GEAUGA   COUNTY. 

Bainbeidge.  The  present  minister  of  tbis  cliurcli  is  Mr.  Slater, 
■who  also  preaches  a  part  of    his  time  in  Newbury. 

Batavia.  Mr.  Bai-rett  studied  theology  "with  Rev.  William  Froth- 
ingham,  of  Lynn,  Mass.  —  was  licensed  by  the  Andover  Association, 
June  4,  1816  —  came  to  the  Reserve  in  1824  —  has  steadily  supplied, 
for  diflFerent  periods,  at  different  times,  the  churches  of  Batavia,  Park- 
man,  and  Troy  —  was  installed  over  the  church  in  Mesopotamia, 
Trumbull  county,  in  1827,  and  remained  pastor  of  that  people  4  years. 
He  now  preaches  to  the  churches  in  Bristol  and  Southington,  Trum- 
bull county.  Mr.  Bridgeman  closed  his  theological  studies  at  Auburn 
in  1830,  and  soon  after  removed  to  Michigan,  where  he  remained  until 
July  1833,  when  he  came  to  the  Reserve  and  commenced  preaching 
in  Batavia  and  Huntsburgh,  His  labors  are  now  confined  to  the  latter 
place.       Mr.  Leslie  is  the  present  minister  of  Batavia. 

Burton.  Mr.  Humphrey  commenced  preaching  in  Bm-ton  and  Can- 
ton (now  called  Claridon),  and  in  October  1815,  was  installed  over 
the  church  and  congregation  embraced  in  these  two  townships.  Mr. 
Witter,  the  present  pastor  of  Burton  church,  studied  theology  at  Au- 
burn Theological  Seminary.  He  has  spent  a  portion  of  his  time,  since 
his  settlement,  in  some  of  the  neighboring  churches.  The  church  in 
Burton,  at  its  formation,  numbered  8  members ;  it  has  now  125.  There 
is  an  academy  in  this  town. 

Chardon.  This  place  is  the  seat  of  justice  for  Geauga  county.  — 
Mr.  Olds  was  formerly  a  deacon  in  one  of  the  eastern  churches.  After 
removing  to  this  country  he  became  an  active  member  of  the  Church  in 
Madison —  was  a  judicious  and  successful  laborer  in  protracted  meetings 
—  was  licensed  more  than  a  year  since  by  the  Presbytery  of  Grand 
River,  and  in  June,  1835,  was  ordained  as  an  evangelist  by  the  same 
body. 

Chester,  This  church  has  had  four  "stated  supplies,"  Messrs.  Bad- 
ger, Burbank,  Palmer,  and  Goodell,  and  one  settled  pastor,  Mr.  Scott. 


Notes —  Geauga  County.  105 

—  Mr.  Burbank  left  Andover  Theological  Seminary  with  the  class  of 
1824.  After  preaching  here  and  in  Kirtland  two  years,  he  accepted  a  call 
from  the  first  church  in  ]M:idison,  to  become  their  pastor,  and  was  in- 
stalled January,  1830.  In  this  connection  he  remained  over  four  years, 
and  on  the  same  day  of  his  dismission,  his  successor  was  installed. 
He  now  supplies  the  churches  of  Mesopotamia  and  Bloomfield,  Ti'um- 
buU  county.  Mr.  Goodell  left  Auburn  Theological  Seminary  in  IS.'^O, 
and  was  one  of  the  seven  missionaries,  who  emigrated  that  fall  to  the 
State  of  Missouri,  where  he  preached  nearly  two  years.  Since  his 
arrival  on  the  Reserve,  he  has  supplied  the  church  in  this  place  one 
year  —  the  church  in  Franklin,  Portage  county,  one  year  —  and  the 
churches  of  Westfield  and  Harrisville,  Medina  county,  one  yenTv^.^  [He 
now  preaches  in  Chatham,  Medina  county.  The  church  in  Chester  is 
at  present  vacant. 

Claeidon.  Mr.  Humphrey's  successor  was  Mr.  Tracj^  who  studied 
theology  with  Rev.  Bennet  Tyler,  D.  D.,  while  he  was  President  of  Dart- 
mouth College.  Soon  after  the  close  of  his  studies,  Mr.  Tracy  came 
to  the  Reserve,  and  was  settled  pastor  of  this  church  about  6  years. 
Having  received  an  appointment  from  the  American  Boai-d  of  Com- 
missioners for  Foreign  Missions,  to  an  agency  in  their  behalf,  in  In- 
diana, he  was  dismissed  October,  1834.  During  his  ministry  at  Clari- 
don,  there  were  several  extensive  revivals  of  religion,  some  of  the  sub- 
jects of  which  are  now  preparing  to  preach  the  gospel.  Mr.  Pratt 
is  the  present  minister  in  that  place.  There  is  an  academy  here 
taught  by  a  Mr.  Canfield,  graduate  of  Yale  College. 

Concord.  Mr,  Swift  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Chester  "Wright, 
of  Montpelier,  Vt.  After  being  licensed,  he  preached  awhile  in  Bethel, 
Vt.,  and  subsequently ^in  the  vicinity  of  Columbus,  Ohio.  He  labored 
as  stated  supply  in  Charlestown  and  Brimfield  one  year,  and  has  since 
been  preaching  in  this  place  and  in  Richmond. 

Hampdbn.  Mr.  Cobb^s^son  of  Rev.  Dr.  Cobb,  of  Rochester,  Mass. 
He  left  Andover  Theological  Seminary  in  1825  —  preached  a  short 
time  in  the  southern  part  of  Massaciiusetts  —  afterwards^  two  or  three 
years   in   the  Island  of  Nantucket  —  arrived  on  the  Reserve  either  at 


106  The   Plan    of   Union. 

the  close  of  1829,  or  early  in  1830 ;  preached  for  a  time  in  Huntsburg 
and  Mesopotamia,  and  in  October,  1830,  was  installed  over  the  united 
churches  of  Hampden  and  Kirtland.  From  the  latter  he  was  dismissed 
in  April,  1833,  and  from  the  former  in  September,  1834.  Subsequently 
he  taught  the  Academy  in  Parkman,  and  at  the  same  time  preached  to 
the  church  in  that  place,  and  to  the  churches  in  Bristol  and  Southing- 
ton.  He  is  now  laboring  south  of  the  Reserve.  Mr.  Stuart  left  An- 
dover  Theological  Seminary  in  1828 ;  was  settled  for  a  number  of 
years  in  Essex,  Vt.  ;  came  to  the  Reserve  in  January,  1835,  and  after 
supplying  this  church  and  that  of  Montville  for  six  months,  he  re- 
turned to  New  England. 

Huntsburg.  This  church  has  had  stated  preaching  at  different 
times,  from  Messrs.  Strong,  Witter,  Cobb,  Wilson,  Lyman,  and  Bridge- 
man.  Mr.  Strong  came  into  the  country  over  16  years  ago,  and  after 
preaching  several  years,  he  left  the  ministry  entirely,  and  devoted  his 
time  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  now  resides  in  Madison.  Mr.  Wil- 
son, on  closing  his  studies  at  Aubui-n  Theological  Seminary,  came  to 
the  Reserve,  and  preached  one  year  to  the  churches  of  Huntsburg  and 
Thompson,  over  the  last  of  which  he  was  installed  February,  1832, 
and  dismissed  April,  1833.  He  has  since  been  preaching  in  Sherman, 
N.  Y.  Mr.  Lyman  studied  divinity  with  Rev.  Dr.  Porter,  of  Catskill, 
N.  Y.;  was  settled  once  or  twice  in  New  York,  and  subsequently  came 
to  the  Reserve,  and  after  supplying  the  church  in  Painesville  about 
one  year  and  a  half,  in  1826  and  1827,  he  returned  to  New  York, 
where  he  labored  as  stated  supply,  or  settled  pastor,  until  1832,  when 
he  returned  to  the  Reserve,  and  has  since  been  preaching,  at  different 
times,  in  Huntsburg,  Montville  and  Thompson.  At  the  last  mentioned 
place,  he  still  continues.  Mr.  Bridgeman  is  the  present  minister  in 
Huntsburg. 

Kirtland.  This  chm-ch  has  enjoyed  successively  the  labors  of 
Messrs.  Badger,  Burbank,  Cobb  and  Coe.  Mr.  Coe  never  graduated, 
but  received  the  degree  of  A.  M.  from  Yale  College.  While  pursuing 
his  Theological  studies,  he  attended  a  course  of  lectures,  delivered  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Taylor,  of  New  Haven,  Conn.;  was  licensed  in  November, 


Notes  —  Geauga  County,  107 

1831,  by  the  New  Haven  Association,  and  in  July  following,  he  com- 
menced preaching  in  Kirtland,  where  he  still  continues. 

Le  Roy.     Mr.  Austin  is  the  present  minister  of  this  town. 

Madison.  First  Church.  This  church  formerly  spread  over  the  ter- 
ritory, occupied  now  by  the  second  church,  and  the  Unionville  church. 
But  in  consequence  of  a  flourishing  village  in  Unionville,  on  the  line 
of  the  town,  and  south  of  the  centre,  and  of  the  village  at  Centreville ; 
and  also  in  consequence  of  the  three  ridge  roads,  one  mile  between 
each  other,  and  running  east  and  west,  and  thus  territorially  dividing 
the  congregation,  a  division  of  feeling  sprung  up,  which  finally  re- 
sulted in  the  formation  of  two  new  churches.  The  first  church  has 
had  three  pastors :  Messrs.  Hyde,  Burbank,  and  Kelly,  and  four 
"stated  supplies,"  Messrs.  Winchester,  Tratt,  Austin,  and  Stone. 
Mr.  Hyde  was  the  son  of  the  late  Eev.  Dr.  Hyde,  of  Lee,  Mass., 
with  whom  he  studied  theology.  Mr.  Hyde  supplied  for  a  time  the 
churches  of  Dover  and  Sheffield;  and  in  August,  1819,  was  installed 
over  the  first  church  in  Madison.  His  father  preached  the  installa- 
tion sermon.  He  continued  in  this  place  for  three  or  four  years,  when, 
suffering  considerably  from  pulmonary  affection,  he  returned  to  New 
England,  and  died  at  his  father's  house,  in  Lee,  August  12,  1824.  Mr. 
Winchester  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Holland  Weeks,  of  Abington, 
Mass.,  and  came  to  the  Reserve  in  1825,  having  preached,  for  some 
time  previous,  in  the  vicinity  of  Rochester,  N.  Y.  He  labored  a  por- 
tion of  his  time,  after  his  arrival  in  Ohio,  in  the  two  churches  in  Mad- 
ison. From  1831  until  his  death,  he  devoted  his  whole  attention  to 
the  restoration  of  the  Jews.  He  believed  in  their  literal  return  to 
Jerusalem,  before  their  conversion,  with  all  their  Mosaic  rites  and 
ceremonies.  Mr.  Winchester  "was  a  friend  to  the  descendants  of 
Abraham,  and  had  studied  the  prophecies  respecting  their  future  des- 
tination, perhaps  more  than  any  other  man  now  living.  He  devoted 
many  of  bis  last  years  almost  wholly  to  the  study  of  the  prophecies 
respecting  their  restoration.  Nor  was  he  contented  with  theory  and 
speculations  alone.  He  labored  for  three  or  four  years  indefatigably, 
to  turn  the  attention  of  the  Christian  public  to  the  subject,  and  to 


108  ^'H 


E    Plan    of    Union 


persuade  the  Jews  that  .Tesus  Christ  is  the  Messiah.  To  accomplish 
which  he  denied  himself  the  domestic  comforts  he  might  have  enjoyed, 
iu  the  bosom  of  an  affectionate  and  beloved  family,  traveled  thousands 
of  m.iles  in  the  United  States ;  crossed  the  Atlantic,  and  spent  one 
summer  in  England.  He  expected  soon  to  embark  for  the  shores  of 
the  Mediterranean,  with  a  hope  he  might  do  something  to  prepare  the 
way  for  the  return  of  Israel  to  the  land  of  their  fathers.  He  con- 
structed a  map  of  the  land  of  Palestine,  and  a  grand  view  of  the  tem- 
ple, as  described  by  the  prophet  Ezekiel."  He  died  in  Madison,  where 
his  family  now  reside,  August  17,  1835.  Mr.  Kelly  is  the  present 
pastor  of  this  church. 

Second  Church  and  Unionville  Church.  Since  Mr.  Woodruff's  dis- 
mission, Mr.  Saunders,  who  had  previously  taught  the  Academy  in 
Painesville,  has  commenced  preaching  as  "  stated  supply "  to  these 
churches.     He  studied  theology  at  New  Haven  Theological  Seminary. 

MoNTTiLLE  and  MuNSON.     These  churches  are  now  destitute. 

Newbury.     Mr.  Slater  is  the  present  minister  of  this  place. 

Painesville.  This  church  is  situated  in  the  bosom  of  a  flourishing 
village,  on  the  banks  of  Grand  River.  Mr.  Derrow  was  one  of  the  first 
ministers  who  came  to  the  Reserve.  After  leaving  Painesville,  he 
was  settled  in  Vienna,  Trumbull  county.  Mr.  Loomis  was  settled  in 
Painesville  five  years.  After  his  dismission,  he  returned  to  New  York, 
and  there  died.  Mr.  Sheldon  was  successor,  and  subsequently  settled 
in  Franklin,  Portage  county.  Mr,  Adams  studied  theology  with  Rev. 
Drs,  Nott  and  Yates,  of  Union  College  ;  was  settled  for  a  number  of 
years  in  Ludlowville,  N.  Y.;  preached  in  Milan  and  Sandusky,  Huron 
county ;  settled  in  Painesville  three  years  and  a  half,  from  which 
place  he  returned  to  New  York,  and  has  since  been  preaching  in 
Hammondsport,  on  Crooked  Lake.  Mr.  Fitch  left  Andover  in  1830; 
was  settled  in  Belfast,  Maine,  one  year  or  more,  and  afterward 
preached  in  one  or  two  places  in  that  State  some  time,  and  then  came 
to  Painesville,  where  he  still  continues. 

Parkman  and  Russell.     These  churches  are  now  destitute. 

RiCHMOKD.     This  flourishing  village  is  in  the  township  of  Paines- 


Notes  —  Huron  County.  100 

ville,  and  situated  near  the  mouth  of  Grand  River.  Mr.  Swift  is  the 
present  miuister. 

Thompson      Mr.  Lyman  preaches  here  at  present. 

Troy.  Mr.  Pool,  the  present  minister,  never  had  a  collegiate  edu- 
cation, but  received  the  degree  of  A.  M.  from  Williams  College.  He 
studied  theology  with  Rev.  Dr.  Packard,  of  Shelburne,  Mass. 

HURON    COUNTY. 

There  are  twelve  townships  in  which  there  is  no  Presbyterian  or 
Congregational  church,  though  in  Margaretta,  in  May,  1819,  there 
was  a  church  formed,  which,  however,  has  for  several  years  been 
extinct.  A  Mr.  Smith,  recently  from  New  York,  is  preaching  in  that 
town  and  in  the  vicinity. 

Bbelin.  This  church  has  been  supplied  successively  by  Messrs. 
Belts,  Judson,  Barber,  and  Crawford.  Mr.  Betts  labored  here  a  part 
of  his  time  one  year  and  a  half,  and  Mr.  Judson,  two  years  and  a  half. 
Mr.  Barber,  on  closing  his  theological  education,  entered  upon  an 
agency  for  the  American  Sunday  School  Union  for  Ohio,  for  a  season ; 
afterwards  preached  two  or  three  years  in  Marion  county,  from  whence 
he  was  called  to  instruct  in  the  Huron  Institute  at  Milan  in  this  county. 
While  principal  of  the  Institute,  he  preached  on  the  Sabbath  to  some  of 
the  neighboring  churches,  as  his  health  would  permit,  which  finally 
became  so  much  impaired  as  to  compel  him,  in  the  summer  of  1835,  to 
relinguish  the  business  of  teaching.  He  now  supplies  the  church  in 
Vermillion.  Mr.  Crawford  studied  divinity  with  Rev.  S.  Porter,  of 
Geneva,  New  York ;  and,  after  being  licensed,  preached  for  a  time  in 
that  State.  Over  a  year  since  he  came  to  Berlin,  and  is  now  the 
"  stated  supply  "  of  the  church  in  that  place. 

Bronson.  This  was  connected  with  the  church  in  Peru,  until 
some  time  in  the  present  year,  when  a  new  one  was  formed.  It  is 
now  destitute. 

Clarksfield.  Mr.  Bobbins  preached  in  a  number  of  places  on  the 
Reserve,  and  some  years  since  returned  to  New  York  State,  where  he 
is  now  laboring.  Mr.  Betts  arrived  on  the  Reserve  in  January,  1829, 
10 


1» 
110  The  Plan  op  Union. 

and  was  installed  over  the'  church  in  Wakeman,  in  April  following. 
In  this  connection  he  still  continues,  and  spends  a  part  of  his  time  in 
Clarksfield,  as  "stated  supply." 

FiTCHViLLE.  Mr.  Beach  preached  to  several  churches  at  diflFerent 
times  for  eight  years.  Was  settled  pastor  of  the  church  in  Peru  for 
more  than  two  years,  from  July,  1827,  to  August,  1829.  On  leaving 
his  charge  in  Norwalk,  in  1832,  he  removed  to  Michigan,  and  is  now 
settled  over  the  church  in  Ann  Arbor.  Mr.  Dunton,  besides  preach- 
ing in  Fitchville,  has  supplied  the  churches  of  Florence,  Norwalk, 
Peru,  and  Ruggles.  He  has  recently  closed  his  labors  at  Fitchville, 
which  is  now  destitute. 

Florence.  Mr.  Alfred  H.  Betts  is,  at  present,  supplying  the 
church  in  this  place. 

Greenfield.  This  church  has  been  successively  supplied  by  Messrs. 
Coe,  Congar,  Edwards,  Buss,  and  Salmon.  Mr.  Edwards  studied  the- 
ology with  Rev.  Asahel  Hooker,  of  Goshen,  Conn.;  was  settled  over 
the  church  in  West  Stockbridge,  Mass.,  Oct.  4,  1809,  and  dismissed 
June  23,  1812.  Commenced  preaching  in  Greenfield  in  November, 
1826  ;  preached  also  at  different  periods  in  New  Haven,  and  in  Har- 
risville.  Since  1831,  he  has  preached  but  occasionally  and  now  re- 
sides in  Ripley.  Mr.  Salmon  pursued  the  study  of  medicine,  and 
after  practicing  a  time,  he  turned  his  attention  to  theology ;  studied 
with  Rev.  Dr.  Woodbridge,  now  of  New  York  city,  and  completed  his 
education  at  Princeton  Theological  Seminary.  Since  his  arrival  on 
the  Reserve,  he  has  spent  a  considerable  portion  of  his  time  in  Green- 
field, Peru,  and  Monroe.  He  now  supplies  the  church  in  Peru. 
Greenfield  is  destitute. 

Huron.  This  church  is  located  in  the  midst  of  a  population  which 
had  long  been  without  the  restraints  of  the  Gospel,  and  distinguished 
for  its  great  wickedness.  Till  within  a  few  years,  the  village,  at  the 
mouth  of  Huron  river,  was  noted  for  immorality.  Sabbath  breaking, 
profaneness,  intemperance,  &c.  Mr.  Beecher  was  educated  at  the 
Southern  and  Western  Theological   Seminary,  in  Tennessee.     After 


Notes  —  Huron   County.  Ill 

preaching  a  year  or  two  in  that  State,  he  laboi'ed  as  an  agent  for  the 
Presbyterian  Education  Society,  in  that  vicinity,  for  about  two  years 
longer,  and  came  to  the  Reserve  last  fall,  and  is  established  at  Huron, 
where  he  still  is. 

Lymb.  This  church  has  enjoyed  successively  the  labors  of  two  pas- 
tors, Messrs.  Sullivan,  and  Cougar.  Mr.  Sullivan  studied  theology 
under  the  tuition  of  Rev.  Otis  Thompson,  of  Rehoboth,  Mass.  Not 
long  after  being  licensed,  Mr.  Sullivan  came  to  the  Reserve ;  preached 
for  a  season  in  Norwalk,  Ridgefield,  Huron,  before  any  churches  were 
there  formed  ;  was  settled  in  Lyme  about  four  years,  and  afterwards 
supplied  the  church  in  Wellington,  Loraine  county,  the  church  in  Me- 
dina, Medina  county,  and  the  church  in  Canfield,  Trumbull  county. 
He  is  now  preaching  in  Durhamville,  Oneida  county.  New  York.  Mr. 
Congar  studied  divinity  with  Rev.  J.  T.  Benedict,  of  Chatham,  New 
York  ;  came  to  the  Reserve  in  1822  ;  has  supplied,  at  different  times, 
a  number  of  churches  in  this  county,  was  installed  over  the  church  in 
Lyme,  where  he  still  continues. 

Milan.  There  has  never  been  a  pastor  settled  in  this  place.  Mr. 
Shipman  left  Andover  Theological  Seminary  in  1821,  and  after  sup- 
plying this  church  nine  months,  returned  to  New  England,  and  is  now 
settled  pastor  in  Southbury,  Conn.  Mr.  Demund,  soon  after  leaving 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  came  to  this  place,  and  supplied  this 
church  six  months,  and  then  returned  to  the  east,  and  is  now  settled 
over  a  Dutch  Reformed  church  in  Pomplar,  N.  J.  Mr.  Judson,  the 
present  minister,  after  closing  his  education  at  New  Haven  Theologi- 
cal Seminary,  served  as  agent  for  the  American  Sunday  School  Union, 
in  the  State  of  Ohio.  On  leaving  his  agencj^  he  came  to  this  county, 
and  commenced  preaching  statedly,  in  Milan.  He  preached  occasion- 
ally in  many  destitute  places  in  different  parts  of  the  county,  in  some 
of  which  there  were  no  churches  formed.  For  a  year  past,  he  has 
spent  a  portion  of  his  time,  in  connection  with  Mr.  Congar,  in  conduct- 
ing protracted  meetings  in  counties  west  of  the  Reserve.  Many  of 
these  meetings  have  been  attended  with  the  manifest  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,   "convincing  of  sin,  of  righteousness,  and  of  a  judg- 


112  The    Plan    of    Union. 

ment."  There  is  in  Milan,  a  flourishing,  preparatory  school,  in  high 
repute,  named  "Huron  Institute."  At  present,  it  is  taught  by  Messrs. 
S.  C.  Hickok,  and  B.  Judson. 

New  Hayen.     The  church  in  this  place  is  now  destitute. 

NoRWALK.  This  place  is  the  seat  of  justice  for  Huron  county.  The 
church  has  been  supplied  successively  by  Messrs.  Beach,  Dunton,  Bar- 
ber, Clark,  Saunders,  and  Newton.  Mr.  Clark  left  Auburn  Theologi- 
cal Seminary  in  1833 ;  preached  here  one  year,  and  is  now  supplying 
the  church  in  Brownhelm,  Loraine  county,  Mr.  Saunders,  after  grad- 
uating, was  tutor,  for  some  time  in  the  college  of  New  .Jersey.  Sub- 
sequently to  completing  his  theological  education  at  Princeton,  he  was 
settled  over  the  church  in  South  Salem,  N.  Y.,  for  eleven  years ;  came 
to  Ohio  in  1834,  and  after  supplying  the  church  in  Norwalk  a  while, 
died  of  pulmonary  affection,  in  Milan,  June  3,  1835.  Mr.  Newton 
was  tutor  in  Yale  College  for  two  or  three  years ;  studied  theology  at 
New  Haven,  Conn.,  and  came  to  Norwalk  in  July,  1835. 

Peru.     Mr.  Salmon  is  the  present  minister  of  this  place. 

RiDGEFiELD  and  Monroe.  Mr.  Palmer  preaches  to  this  church 
still,  when  his  health  will  permit. 

Ripley.     This  church  has  no  "stated  supply." 

E.UGGLES.  Mr.  Buffett,  son  of  Ptcv.  Mr.  Buffett,  of  Greenwich,  Ct., 
left  Andover  Theological  Seminary  in  1823  ;  was  settled  in  Atwater, 
Portage  county,  about  six  years ;  supplied  the  church  in  Buggies  one 
year,  and  now  resides  in  Franklin,  Portage  county.  This  church  is 
now  vacant, 

Sandusky.  This  church  is  established  in  a  place  which  promises 
to  become  quite  populous  and  wealthy.  The  church  is  now  destitute. 
Mr.  Bobbins,  on  leaving  Andover  Theological  Seminary,  entered  upon 
his  duties,  as  tutor  in  Transylvania  University,  in  Kentucky,  to  which 
he  had  been  previously  elected.  In  this  station  he  remained  over  one 
year.  After  leaving  the  University,  he  came  to  the  Reserve,  and  com- 
menced preaching  in  Sandusky.  While  here  he  was  ordained  as  an 
evangelist  by  the  Huron  Presbytery.  He  is  now  settled  over  a  church 
in  Oxford,  Mass.    Mr.  Roberts  studied  theology  with  Rev.  H.  Daggett, 


Notes  —  Lorain  e  County.      113 

of  Cornwall,  Ct;  preached  a  number  of  years  in  the  State  of  Maine; 
came  to  the  Reserve  in  1884,  and  supplied  Sandusky  one  year.  He 
is  now  preaching  south  of  the  Reserve. 

Vermillion.  Mr.  Lyon  was  pastor  of  this  church  two  years;  and 
after  his  dismission,  he  taught  a  select  school  in  Brownhelm,  Loraine 
county.  And  subsequently  he  supplied  the  churches  of  Granger,  and 
Sharon,  Medina  county.  Mr.  Griffith,  son  of  a  clergyman  in  England, 
studied  theology  at  Hackney  College,  England.  He  came  into  this 
county  about  the  year  1832,  and  after  preaching  one  j'ear,  returned 
to  his  native  land.     Mr.  Barber  preaches  here  at  present. 

Wakeman.     Mr.  Betts  is  the  present  pastor  of  this  church. 

LORAINE   COUNTY. 

Amherst.     The  church  in  this  place  has  occasional  supplies. 

Avon.  Mr.  Ladd  commenced  preaching  in  1811,  in  England,  while 
he  was  connected  with  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  denomination.  He 
continued  in  this  connection  thirteen  years,  and  in  1824  he  withdrew 
from  the  Methodists,  and  united  with  the  Congregational  Dissenters. 
He  was  pastor  of  a  church  in  that  denomination,  in  England,  until 
1834,  when  he  came  to  America.  Since  his  arrival,  he  has  been 
preaching  for  most  of  the  time  in  Avon. 

Brownhelm.  Mr.  Betts  studied  the  profession  of  medicine,  and 
practiced  the  same  for  a  number  of  years.  He  studied  theology  with 
Rev.  William  Hanford,  of  Hudson,  and  now  of  Windham,  Portage 
county ;  has  preached  at  different  times  to  several  feeble  churches  in 
Huron  county,  and  vicinity,  under  the  patronage  of  the  Connecticut 
Missionary  Society ;  was  installed  pastor  of  the  church  in  Brownhelm 
in  April,  1821,  and  he  remained  in  this  connection  for  more  than 
twelve  years.  He  now  preaches  in  Florence.  Mr.  Clark  is  the  pres- 
ent minister  in  BroAvnhelm. 

Columbia.     The  chiu*ch  here  is  vacant. 

Carlisle.     Mr.  Eastman  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Evans  Beards- 
ley,  of  Morris  Flats,  N.  Y.;  preached  for  several  years  in  that  State  ; 
then  came  to  the  Reserve,  and  now  lives  at  Oberlin. 
10* 


114  Th>    Plan    or    Union. 

Elteia.  This  cliurcli  has  ever  pursued  the  scriptural  course  of 
having  a  settled  pastor ;  and  has  enjoyed  successively  the  labors  of 
thi-ee  ministers — Messrs.  Lathrop,  Shipherd,  and  Eells,  and  been  fre- 
quently blessed  with  revivals  of  religion.  Mr.  Lathrop  studied  theol- 
ogy with  Rev.  Mr.  Armstrong,  D.  D.;  was  settled  pastor  of  this  church 
for  five  years,  and  was  dismissed  in  August,  1830,  to  enter  upon  a 
permanent  agency  for  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society,  for  the 
Reserve  and  Michigan;  which  office  he  still  holds.  Mr.  Shipherd  stud- 
ied theology  with  Rev.  Josiah  Hopkins,  of  New  Haven,  Vt.,  and  now 
of  Auburn,  N.  Y.  After  completing  his  education,  he  performed  an 
agency  for  the  American  Sunday  School  Union,  for  the  State  of  Ver- 
mont, a  year  or  two  ;  came  to  the  Reserve  in  1830 ;  commenced  sup- 
plying the  church  of  Elyria  in  October  of  that  year  ;  was  installed  in 
February  following,  and  dismissed  in  September,  1832.  Soon  after  his 
dismission,  he  and  Mr.  Philo  P.  Stuart,  formerly  connected  with  one  of 
the  South-western  Indian  Missions,  projected  and  executed  a  plan  for 
establishing  a  colony  of  Christians  in  the  township  of  Russia,  Loraine 
county,  to  which  they  gave  the  name  of  Oberlin.  Their  original 
plan  was,  to  connect  with  the  colony  an  institution  of  learning, 
where  youth  of  both  sexes  might  be  prepared  for  the  various  depart- 
ments of  life.  At  first,  they  aimed  at  nothing  more  than  a  good  "pre- 
paratory school."  The  plan  has,  however,  been  since  changed,  and 
preparatory  collegiate  and  theological  departments  have  been  estab- 
lished with  various  modifications.  Mr.  Shipherd  commenced  preach- 
ing at  Oberlin  m  September,  1833,  and  was  installed  pastor  of  the 
church  in  that  place  in  July,  1835.  Mr.  Eells,  the  present  pastor  of 
Elyria  church,  is  son  of  Rev.  James  Eells,  of  Charlestown,  Portage 
county.  After  closing  his  education  at  Princeton,  he,  in  connection 
with  his  father,  commenced  a  Manual  Labor  School  in  Worthington, 
Ohio,  from  which  place  he  was  called  to  take  charge  of  the  church  in 
this  town. 

Grafton,  La  Grange,  and  Penfield.      These   churches  are  now 
destitute. 
Oberlin.     Mr.  Shipherd  is  the  present  pastor  of  this  church. 


Notes  —  3Iedina   County.  115 

Olmstead.     This  church  is  destitute. 

RiDOEViLLE,  aud  Sheffieli).  The  present  minister  of  these  two 
churches  is  Mr.  Monteith,  who  was  the  first,  or  one  of  the  first  min- 
isters, who  preached  in  the  city  *of  ^Detroit.  He  also,  at  the  same 
time,  labored  in  other  parts  of  the  territory  of  Michigan.  Subse- 
quently he  was,  for  a  season,  professor  of  languages  in  Hamilton  col- 
lege ;  and  afterward,  instructor  in  the  Manual  Labor  Academy  estab- 
lished in  Germantown,  near  Philadelphia,  Pa.  From  1833,  until  the 
summer  of  1835,  he  was  teacher  of  the  high  school  in  Elyria,  where 
he  now  resides. 

Wellington,  and  Brighton.  Mr.  Smith  was  a  member  of  Dart- 
mouth college,  but  left  the  college  during  his  senior  year,  and  did  not 
graduate  ;  studied  theology  a  short  time  with  Picv.  Messrs.  Lawton, 
of  Hillsborough,  Whiton,  of  Antrim,  and  Kingsbury,  of  Mount  Ver- 
non, N.  H.;  was  licensed  by  the  Ilollis  Association  in  January,  1825, 
and  came  to  Wellington  June  following ;  and  after  preaching  here  and 
in  the  township  of  Penfield  one  year,  he  returned  to  New  England, 
and  was  ordained  as  an  evangelist,  by  an  ecclesiastical  council  Sep- 
tember, 1826.  For  several  years  past,  he  has  been  preaching  in 
Maumee,  Ohio,  and  vicinity.  Mr.  Talcott,  the  present  pastor  of 
Wellington,  came  into  the  county  soon  after  he  completed  his  educa- 
tion, and  was  installed  October,  1828,  and  has  preached  since,  one 
year  a  part  of  his  time,  in  Penfield. 

MEDINA  COUNTY. 

Bath.  This  church  has  enjoyed  successively  the  labors  of  Messrs. 
Woodruff,  Shaler,  and  Smith.  It  is  now  destitute.  Mr.  Shaler  stud- 
ied theology  with  Rev.  Dr.  Elliot,  of  Conn.;  came  to  the  Reserve 
fifteen  or  sixteen  years  since,  under  the  patronage  of  the  Connecticut 
Missionary  Society;  was  settled  pastor  of  Richfield  church  nine  years, 
and  has  labored  here  and  iu  other  towns  as  stated  supply,  at  difi'erent 
periods  and  for  different  lengths  of  time.  He  now  resides  in  Rich- 
field. Mr.  Smith,  the  present  minister,  left  Andover  Theological 
Seminary  in  1821  ;  came  to  the  Reserve  in  the  year  following,  and 


116  T  HE    Plan    OF    U  NioN. 

preaclied  one  year  in  Boardman,  Canfiekl,  and  Ellsworth,  Trumbull 
county.  After  this,  he  spent  over  two  years  as  a  missionary  in  Illi- 
nois and  Missouri ;  subsequently  returned  to  the  Keserve ;  has  since 
labored  in  several  places  at  different  times,  and  for  three  years  past 
has  preached  in  ^Richfield. 

Brunswick.  Mr.  Barnes  formerly  preached  in  New  York  State  for 
a  number  of  years.  Since  he  has  been  in  the  Reserve,  he  has  labored 
at  different  times  in  Brunswick,  Medina,  and  now  supplies  Weymouth 
church.  Mr.  Laine  left  Andover  Theological  Seminary  in  1834,  and 
was  installed  pastor  of  this  church  in  May,  1835. 

Chatham.     The  present  minister  of  this  chvu-ch  is  Mr.  Goodell. 

Graxger.  Mr.  Taylor  studied  theology  with  the  late  Rev.  Dr. 
Hyde,  of  Lee,  Mass.;  was  settled  twice,  for  a  number  of  years  each,  in 
Connecticut ;  came  to  the  Reserve  five  or  six  years  ago  ;  supplied  the 
churches  of  Granger  and  Hinckley  for  a  season,  and  now  resides  in 
Freedom,  Portage  county.     The  church  is  vacant. 

Guilford.  Mr.  Noyes,  after  remaining  at  Dartmouth  College  over 
one  year,  left  on  account  of  ill  health ;  studied  theology  with  Rev. 
Mr.  Ide,  of  Medway,  Mass.;  came  to  the  Reserve,  October,  1831,  and 
has  ever  since  been  supplying  this  church. 

Harrisville.     This  church  is  nowdestitute. 

Hinckley.  Mr.  Laine,  of  Brunswick,  preaches  here  a  part  of  the 
time. 

La  Fayette.  Mr.  Boutelle  left  Andover  Theological  Seminary  in 
1831 ;  spent  over  three  years  in  the  western  part  of  Ohio,  and  com- 
menced preaching  in  this  place  and  in  Westfield,  August,  1835. 

Litchfield.  Mr.  Smith  studied  theology  with  Rev.  P.  V.  Bogue, 
of  Harpersville,  N.  Y.;  was  licensed  in  1832,  and  ordained  as  an 
evangelist  in  1834,  by  the  Chenango  Presbytery,  and  came  to  this 
place  in  June,  1835. 

Medina.  Mr.  Lee,  the  present  minister  of  this  place,  came  to  the 
Reserve  in  November,  1834,  soon  after  closing  his  studies  in  Auburn 
Theological  Seminary. 

Weymouth  Church.     This  church  is  located  in  the  corner  of  Medina 


Notes  —  Medina  County.  117 

township,  and  its  present  minister  is  Mr.  Barnes,  who  is  also  preach- 
ing a  part  of  his  time  in  the  corner  of  Granger  township,  where  there 
is  no  church  formed. 

Richfield.  Mr.  Cooke  studied  at  "Williams  College,  but  did  not 
graduate  ;  acquired  his  theological  education  under  the  tuition  of 
Rev.  John  H.  Rice,  D.  D.,  and  Professor  Hiram  Goodrich,  of  Prince 
Edward,  Va.;  was  licensed  by  the  North  SuflFolk  Association,  Massa- 
chusetts, in  August,  1830,  and  was 'ordained  as  an  evangelist  in 
September  following ;  supplied  the  church  in  Richfield  one  year ;  the 
church  in  Plymouth,  Richland  county,  one  year ;  then  the  church  in 
Gainesville,  N.  Y.,  one  year,  and  is  now  preaching  in  Bloomfield, 
Michigan. 

Sharon.  Mr.  Johnson,  the  present  minister,  was  settled  in  the 
ministry  a  number  of  years  in  New  York  State  ;  and  after  his  health 
failed,  he  came  into  this  country,  and  settled  in  this  place  where  he  is 
now  preaching. 

Wadsworth.  Mr.  Jerome  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Charles 
Backus,  D.  D.,  of  Somers,  Conn.;  was  settled  over  this  church  for 
nearly  three  years  ;  returned  to  New  England,  and  died  in  New  Hart- 
ford, Conn.,  April,  1832.  Mr.  Fay  studied  theology  with  Rev  Mr. 
Ide,  Medway,  Mass.;  was  licensed  in  1826;  ordained  in  1830,  at  West- 
borough,  Mass.,  his  native  place  ;  and  soon  after  emigrated  to  the  Re- 
serve under  the  patronage  of  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society, 
and  supplied  the  church  of  Wadsworth  about  five  years.  Mr.  Fay 
was  a  faithful  and  useful  minister  :  he  usually  enjoyed  perfect  health 
and  was  not  unable  to  preach,  on  account  of  ill  health,  a  single  Sab- 
bath, until  his  last  sickness.  He  died  much  loved  and  lamented  by 
his  church  and  his  brethren  in  the  ministry.  This  place  is  now  des- 
titute. 

Westfield.     The  present  minister  of  this  church  is  Mr.  Boutelle. 

York.  Previous  to  the  commencement  of  Mr.  Russ's  labors  in  thi^ 
place,  which  was  more  than  one  year  before  his  installation,  Mr. 
Churchill,  a  licentiate,  preached  one  year  to  this  church.  He  was 
formerly  connected  with  the  Methodist  denomination. 


118  The    Plan    of    Union 


PORTAGE   COUNTY. 


This  county  was  organized  in  1807.  In  1820,  it  contained  a  popu- 
lation of  10,095  ;  and  in  1830,  a  population  of  18,826.  It  embraces 
thirty  townships  and  twenty-eight  churches,  nine  of  which  are  vacant. 
There  are  six  townships,  in  which  there  is  no  Presbyterian  or  Congre- 
gational church.     Ravenna  is  the  seat  of  justice. 

Akron.  This  is  an  important  place,  situated  at  the  junction  of  the 
Mahoning  canal  with  the  Ohio  canal.  The  church  has  been  recently 
formed,  and  now  enjoys  the  labors  of  Mr.  Brooks,  who,  after  complet- 
ing his  education,  spent  some  time  in  Illinois,  from  which  place  he 
came  to  the  Reserve.  He  supplied  for  a  season  the  church  in  Edein- 
burg,  in  connection  with  this. 

Atwater.  Mr.  Field  came  to  the  Reserve  at  an  early  day,  and  after 
preaching  for  a  season  from  place  to  place,  as  a  missionary,  he  stat- 
edly supplied  the  church  in  this  town  for  one  year ;  and  then  moved 
into  one  of  the  southern  States,  where  he  taught  school  for  a  time, 
and  died  near  Natchez,  the  7th  of  August,  1827.  The  present  minis- 
ister  is  Mr.  Beardsley. 

Aurora.  This  church  has  enjoyed  the  labors  of  one  pastor,  for 
more  than  twenty-three  years,  under  whose  preaching  it  has  been 
blessed  repeatedly  with  large  accessions  to  its  number.  Mr.  Seward 
labored  both  before  and  after  his  installation,  a  part  of  his  time  as  a 
missionary  in  the  vicinity  of  Aurora. 

Brimfield.  There  had  been  a  church  formed  in  this  place  for  a 
number  of  years  previous  to  1832,  when,  having  become  almcst  ex- 
tinct, it  was  reorganized.  Mr.  Graham,  the  present  minister,  was 
born  in  Ireland,  but  educated  in  America.  He  was  licensed  by  the 
Portage  Presbytery  in  1834,  and  afterwards  supplied  the  church  in 
Franklin  a  part  of  the  time  for  one  year. 

Charlestowx.  The  church  in  this  place  was  formed  in  Middle 
Granville,  Mass.,  in  1811,  by  Rev.  Joel  Baker.  At  the  time  of  its  or- 
ganization, the  church  consisted  of  six  members,  and  soon  after  erai- 


Notes  —  Portage  County.      119 

grated  to  this  country.  Mr.  Titkin  came  to  the  Keserve  in  181C,  and 
was  settled  pastor  in  this  place  about  eight  years,  from  whence  he 
was  called  to  act  as  agent  for  the  Western  Reserve  College,  which  was 
then  in  its  infancy,  Mr.  Coe,  after  graduating,  taught  school  for  a 
number  of  years  in  different  places  in  the  Reserve ;  subsequently  was 
licensed  to  preach,  and  was  pastor  of  the  church  in  this  place  over 
four  years ;  supplied,  for  a  time,  the  churches  in  Freedom  and  Brim- 
field,  and  for  nearly  two  years  past,  has  taught  the  academy  in  Tal- 
madge.  Mr.  Eells,  the  present  minister,  studied  theology  with  Rev. 
Charles  Backus,  D.  D.,  of  Somers,  Conn.;  was  settled  over  the  church 
in  "Westmoreland,  N.  Y.,  for  a  number  of  years  ;  subsequently  labored 
as  an  agent  for  the  Western  Education  Society  of  New  York  ;  con- 
nected with  Hamilton  college  six  years;  came  to  Ohio  in  1830  or  1831, 
had  in  connection  with  his  son,  commenced  a  Manual  Labor  School  in 
Worthington,  from  which  place  he  removed  to  Charlestown  in  1834. 

Cuyahoga  Falls.  The  church  was  formed  under  flattering  pros- 
pects, and  since  Mr.  Baldwin  left  the  place,  it  has  been  supplied 
mostly  by  some  one  of  the  officers  of  the  Western  Reserve  College. 

Deerfield.  This  church  was  formed  at  an  early  day,  and  has  been 
supplied  more  or  less,  by  Rev.  Messrs.  Joseph  Treat,  and  Joseph  Har- 
per     It  is  now  destitute. 

Edinburg.  This  church,  previously  to  1834,  had  occasional  sup- 
plies, chiefly  from  Messrs.  Storrs,  Sheldon,  and  Nash.  From  Novem- 
ber, 1834,  Mr.  Brooks  supplied  it  six  months.  Mr,  Bissell,  the  pres- 
ent minister,  studied  theology  with  the  late  Rev.  Luther  Hart,  of  Ply- 
mouth, Conn.;  came  to  the  Reserve  about  the  year  1827,  and  was  set- 
tled pastor  of  the  Church  in  Twinsburgh  over  seven  years.  While  here, 
he  taught  an  academy  for  some  time,  and  was  very  useful,  both  as  a 
teacher  and  a  pastor.     In  September  last,  he  removed  to  Edinburg. 

Franklix.  This  church  has  had  one  settled  pastor,  Mr.  Sheldon, 
and  two  "stated  supplies,"  Messrs.  Goodell,  and  Graham ;  and  is  now 
destitute.  Mr.  Sheldon  left  Andover  Theological  Seminary  in  1823  ; 
and  soon  after  came  to  the  Reserve.  He  was  settled  over  this  church 
in  1825,  and  continued  pastor  four  years.    He  also  supplied  the  church 


120  The    Plan    of    Union. 

in  Stowe  for  a  time,  and  the  cliurcli  in  Paincsville,  Geauga  comity. 
In  1829,  he  was  appointed  agent  of  the  American  Bible  Society  for 
Ohio  and  Michigan,  in  which  capacity  he  still  continues  with  his  usual 
energy  and  success, 

Freedom.  Mr.  Treat  studied  theology  under  the  tuition  of  Rev. 
Ebenezer  Porter,  D,  D.  He  was  ordained  in  Woodbury,  Conn.,  May 
5,  1814,  and  soon  after  came  to  the  Reserve  under  the  patronage  of 
the  Connecticut  Missionary  Society;  was  installed  in  Windham,  Sep- 
tember, 1817,  and  dismissed  Oct.  1827.  He  has  supplied  a  number  of 
churches  at  different  times ;  labored  in  Garrettsville  two  years  previ- 
ous to  the  formation  of  a  church  in  that  village,  and  is  preaching  there 
still.  Mr.  Rockwell,  the  present  minister,  studied  theology  with  Rev. 
Josiah  Hopkins,  of  Heyv  Haven,  Vt.,  and  more  recently  of  Auburn, 
N.  Y.  He  was  settled  for  a  number  of  years  in  Vermont,  and  in  July 
last,  came  to  the  Reserve  and  commenced  preaching  in  this  place, 
where  he  still  continues. 

Garrettsville.  This  village  is  situated  on  the  corner  of  Nelson, 
Hiram,  Freedom,  and  Windham.     Mr.  Treat  is  the  present  minister. 

HuDsox.  This  town  is  called  after  Mr.  Hudson,  the  first  settler  in 
the  township.  He  came  to  the  place  in  1800,  and  removed  his  family 
in  the  year  following.  He  crossed  Lake  Erie  five  times  in  an  open  boat 
or  canoe.  He  is  still  living.  Mr.  Hanford  was  settled  over  the  church 
in  this  place  in  1816,  and  dismissed  in  1831,  having  received  a  call  to 
become  pastor  of  the  church  in  Windham,  where  he  still  labors.  Mr. 
Doolittle,  the  present  minister,  studied  theology  with  the  late  Rev. 
Luther  Hart,  of  Plymouth,  Conn.;  was  settled  for  several  years  in 
north-east  Pennsylvania,  from  whence  he  was  called  to  take  the  charge 
of  the  church  in  Hudson 

Western  Reserve  College  Church.  The  Professor  of  Biblical 
Theology  is  regarded  as  the  pastor  of  the  church.  Mr.  Green  was 
the  first  elected  to  this  office.  He  had  been  settled  over  the  church 
in  Brandon,  Vermont,  a  number  of  years,  from  which  place  he  was 
called  to  Kennebeck,  Maine,  and  from  thence  to  this  college.  He  is 
now  president  of  Oneida  Institute,    Mr.  Folsom,  after  leaving  Andover 


Notes  —  Portage  County.     121 

Theological  Seminary  in  1831,  spent  some  time  in  the  southern  States; 
in  the  winter  of  1832  and  1833,  he  preached  three  months  in  Cleve- 
and,  Ohio,  and  from  thence  he  was  called  to  a  professorship  in  Lane 
Seminary.  While  there,  in  September,  1833,  he  was  invited  to  the 
professorship  in  this  college,  which  he  now  fills,  and  is  pastor  of  the 
church. 

Mantua,  This  church  has  enjoyed  successively,  the  labors  of 
Messrs.  Coe,  Seward,  Pepoon,  Hopkins,  and  Danforth.  It  ia  now 
destitute.  Mr.  Hopkins  studied  theology  with  his  brother,  Rev. 
Josiah  Hopkins,  now  of  Auburn,  N.  Y.  He  was  settled  for  a  time  in 
Vermont;  came  to  the  Reserve  in  1830;  and  supplied  this  church  and 
that  in  Shalersville,  one  year.  He  is  now,  and  has  been  for  three 
or  four  years  past,  preaching  in  Canton,  Ohio. 

MiDDLEBURY.  Mr.  Baldwin  left  Andover  Theological  Seminary,  in 
1822,  and  has  been  preaching  in  this  place  about  five  years  ;  a  part 
of  the  time,  however,  for  two  or  three  years  he  preached  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Cuyahoga  Falls. 

Nelson.  Mr.  Fenn  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Bezaleel  Pinneo,  of 
Milford,  Ct. ;  was  pastor  of  the  church  in  this  place  about  sixteen 
years,  and  in  April  last  was  dismissed  to  accept  a  call  from  the  church 
in  Gustavus,  Trumbull  Co.  While  at  Nelson,  he  supplied  for  a  time, 
the  churches  in  Windham  and  Southington. 

NoRTHFiELD.     Mr.  Pitkin  is  the  present  minister  of  this  church. 

Palmyra.  This  church  .has  had  but  little  stated  preaching,  and 
and  is  now  destitute. 

Ravenna.  Mr.  Storrs  was  the  son  of  the  late  Rev.  Richard  S. 
Storrs,  of  Longmeadow,  Mass.  He  studied  in  the  College  of  New 
Jersey  until  his  junior  year,  when,  by  reason  of  ill  health,  he  left 
college.  After^regaining  his  health  in  some  degree,  he  pursued  the- 
ological studies  under  the  tuition  of  Rev.  Dr.  Woolworth,  of  Bridge- 
hampton,  Long  Island.  In  1813  he  was  licensed  to  preach ;  and  in 
1817  he  entered  Andover  Theological  Seminary,  where  he  remained 
three  years,  After  closing  his  studies  there  he  proceeded  to  the  south, 
11 


122  The    Plan    or   Union. 

and  was  ordained  as  an  evangelist  in  Charleston,  South  Carolina, 
Jan.  3,  1821.  In  the  year  following  he  came  to  the  Reserve,  and 
settled  at  Ravenna,  where  he  continued  over  six  years.  And  from 
thence  he  was  called  to  "fill  the  chair  of  professor  of  theology,  in 
the  Western  Reserve  College ;  subsequently  was  appointed  president, 
and  Feb.  1831,  inaugurated.  By  reason  of  ill  health  in  the  summer 
of  1833,  he  was  released  from  the  duties  of  his  ofl&ce  for  six 
months,  by  the  trustees.  In  August,  he  visited  his  brother  at  Brain- 
tree,  Mass.,  where, he  was  to  close  his  days.  His  health  rapidly  de- 
clined, and  on  the  15th  of  Sept.,  Sabbath  morning,  at  half  past  one 
o'clock,  his  spirit  took  its  upward  flight.  The  principal  characteris- 
tics of  President  Storrs,  were  singleness  of  aim  ;  resoluteness  of  pur- 
pose ;  and  persverance  in  effort.  His  name  will  ever  be  associated 
with  the  interests  of  religion,  benevolence,  and  learning  at  the  West, 
and  his  departure  is  deeply  to  be  deplored."  Mr  .Nash  is  son  of  the 
late  Rev.  J.  Nash  of  Middlefield,  Mass.  He  studied  at  Andover  The- 
ological Seminary  two  years,  and  left  the  Seminary  by  reason  of  ill 
health.  He  came  to  the  Reserve  and  was  settled  over  this  church  in 
1829. 

Randolph  and  Rootstown.  These  churches  have  had  one  pastor, 
Mr.  Meriam,  and  they  still  enjoy  his  labors.  He  left  Andover  The- 
ological Seminary  in  1822. 

Shalersville.     This  church  is  now  destitute. 

Springfield.  This  church  has  had  some  stated  supplies  from  dif- 
ferent ministers,  and  has  enjoyed  successively  the  labors  of  two  pas- 
tors, Messrs.  Beer  and  Hughes.  Mr,  Beer  studied  theology  with  Rev. 
Thomas  E.  Hughes  of  Beaver  County,  Pa. ;  was  licensed  October  20, 
1808,  and  labored  as  a  pastor  in  this  place  for  several  years ;  then  for 
a  season  as  a  "stated  supply,"  in  Newton,  Trumbull  Co.,  and  sub- 
sequently was  settled  south  of  the  Reserve,  in  Middle  Sandy,  where 
he  still  continues.  Mr.  Hughes  is  son  of  Rev.  Thomas  E.  Hughes ; 
studied  at  Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  and  has  been  pastor  of 
this  church  more  than  six  years. 

Stowe.    This  church  is  now  destitute. 


Notes  —  Trumbull  County.  123 

STREBTSBOROuan.  Mr.  Dean,  after  the  close  of  his  studies  at  Au- 
burn Theological  Seminary,  preached  some  time  in  New  York  State  ; 
then  came  to  the  Reserve  and  settled  in  this  place,  and  supplied  the 
church  for  one  year. 

Tallmadge.  Mr.  Bacon  commenced  preaching  here  as  early  as  there 
were  any  inhabitants  for  hearers  ;  formed  the  church  in  his  own'house^; 
closed  his  labors  with  the  church  in  1812 ;  returned  to  New  England, 
and  in  August,  1817,  died  at  Hartford,  Ct.  Mr.  Parmelee,  on  leaving 
Andover  Theological  Seminary  in  1830,  engaged  in  an  agency  for  the 
American  Board  of  Commissoners  for  Foreign  Missions,  for  six  months, 
and  subsequently  preached  in  Westfield,  New  York,  from  which  place 
he  wascalled  to  take  the  ministerial  charge  of  the  church  in  Tallmadge. 

TwiNSBURG.  Mr.  Hair,  the  present  minister,  spent  one  year  or 
more  as  teacher  in  theManual  Labor  Academy  of  Ann  Arbor,  Mich- 
igan. While  engaged  in  this  business,  he  was  licensed  to  preach  by 
the  Monroe  Presbytery.  After  closing  his  school  he  came  to  the 
Reserve  and  commenced  preaching  in  this  place  in  October  last. 

Windham.     Mr.  Hanford  is  the  present  pastor  of  this  church. 

TRUMBULL   COUNTY. 

This  county  lies  south  of  Ashtabula  Co.  and  east  of  Portage.  It  was 
organized  in  1800.  In  1820  it  contained  a  population  of  15,546,  and 
in  1830,  26,158.  It  embraces  thirty-five  townships  and  twenty-nine 
churches,  five  of  which  are  destitute.  There  are  six  townships  in 
which  there  is  no  Presbyterian  or  Congregational  church.  Warren  is 
the  seat  of  justice. 

AusTiNTOWN  and  ,Weathersfield.     This  church  has  been  supplied 
at  dilFerent  times  successively  by  Messrs.  Woodruff,  Beers,  and  Strat- 
ton.     Mr.  Stratton  is  the  present  minister.     Since  he  was  licensed 
he  has  preached  in  Canfield^  Ellsworth,  and  Newton. 

Bazetta.  Mr.  Miller  studied  theology  with  the  late  Rev.  Giles  H. 
Cowles,  D.  D.,  of  Austinburg ;  was  settled  in  Bristol  about  five  years 
and  has  supplied  a  number  of  churches  for  a  short  time  each.  Some 
time  after  his  dismission  from  Bristol,  he  moved  to  Farmington,  and 
taught  the  academy  in  that  place  for  a  year  or  two;  and  the  last 


124  The   Plan    op   Union. 

winter  and  spring  he  labored  in  Seneca  Co.  west  of  the  Reserve,  for 
the  good  of  the^Catholics,  and  to  some  extent  was  successful  in  his 

labors. 

BLOOMriELD.  Mr.  Hart  studied  theology  with  the  late  Rev.  Giles 
H.  Cowles,  D.  D.  of  Austinburg ;  was^pastor  of  this  church  for  several 
years ;  and^is  now  preaching  in  Springfield,  Penn.  Mr.  Burbank  is 
the  present  minister. 

BoARDMAN.  This  church' has  enjoyed  successively,  the  labors  of 
Messrs.  Hanford,  Smith,  Stratton,  and  ".Stafford.  Mr.  Stafford  at 
present  preaches  but  a  part  of  his  time. 

Braceville.  Mr.  Curtis  left  Andover  Theological  Seminary  in 
1815;  came  to  the  Reserve  some  time  before  1820,  and  in  that  year 
was  installed  over  the  church  in  Warren,  and  returned  to  Vermont  in 
1831,  but  his  pastoral  relation  was  not  dissolved  until  the  year  follow- 
ing. While  in  Warren  he  preached  a  part  of  his  time  in  this  place. 
He  has  been  for  one  or  two  years  past  a  missionary  in  Canada.  Mr. 
Russ  studied  theology  a  few  months  with  Rev.  William  A.  Hawley,  of 
Hinsdale,  Mass ;  then  went  to  Virginia  and  studied  one  year  and  a 
half  with  Rev.  Francis  Thornton,  of  Culpepper  Co.,  and  Rev.  William 
Hill,  D.  D.,  of  Winchester.  He  was  licensed  by  Winchester  Presby- 
tery, and  then  returned  to  the  north  and  spent  a  short  time  at  Auburn 
Theological  Seminary.  After  spending  a  season  as  a  missionary  with- 
in the  bounds  of  Albany  Co.,  N.  Y.,  he  came  to  the  Reserve.  He  has 
since  labored  in  Sandusky,  Greenfield,  and  New  Haven,  Huron  Co.; 
Braceville  and  Gustavus  in  this  County;  Wayne,  Ashtabula  Co.;  and 
York,  Medina  Co.  In  the  last  mentioned  ■  place  he  has  been  recently 
settled  as  pastor.     Mr.  Bouton  is  the  present  minister  of  Braceville. 

Bristol.     Mr.  Barrett  is  the  present  minister  of  this  church. 

Brookfield.  Mr.  Core  came  to  America  in  1802,  and  soon  after  to 
Pennsylvania,  where,  in  October,  1816,  he  was  licensed  to  preach  by 
the  Presbytery  of  Hartford,  now  Beaver,  and  in  June  following  was 
installed  over  the  churches  in  Brookfield,  Vienna,  and  Youngstown. 
He  was  dismissed  from  Vienna  in  1820,  from  Youngstown  in  April, 
1823,  and  from  Brookfield  in  October  following;  and  became  pastor 


Notes — Trumbull    County.  125 

of  two  or  three  congregations  in  Pennsylvania,  where  he  now  labors. 
Mr.  Harper,  last  year  and  a  part  of  the  present,  supplied  this  church. 

Canfield,  This  church  has  enjoyed  successively  the  labors  of 
Messrs.  Hanford,  Smith.  Sullivan,  and  Stratton.  Previous  to  his  in- 
stallation, Mr.  Stratton  preached  to  this  church  and  that  of  Ellsworth 
for  more  than  a  year.  At  length  some  difficulty  arose  in  Canfield,  in 
relation  to  church  government,  which  resulted  in  the  organization  of 
a  strictly  Presbyterian  church,  and  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Stratton 
from  the  old  church  and  his  settlement  in  the  new  one.  This  occurred 
in  January,  1835.  Mr.  Stratton  has  also  supplied  the  church  in 
Newton. 

First  Presbyterian  Church.     Mr.  Stratton  is  the  present  pastor. 

Ellsworth.  Mr.  Bruce  studied  theology  with  Rev,  Thomas  E. 
Hughes  of  Greensburg,  Pennsylvania.  Soon  after  he  was  licensed, 
he  commenced  preaching  in  this  place ;  was  pastor  Of  five  years ;  and 
after  his  dismission  he  preached  as  stated  supply  in  Newton  one  year, 
and  died  in  that  place  in  November,  1816.  The  church  in  Elsworth 
is  now  vacant. 

Farmingtok.  Mr.  Bouton  supplied  this  church  for  a  season,  and 
in  1830  removed  to  Illinois,  where  he  preached  a  year  or  two,  and 
then  removed  to  Michigan,  where  he  remained  as  much  longer.  Some 
time  in  the  present  year  he  came  back  to  Farmington,  and  was  in- 
stalled pastor  in  September,  1835.  He  has  also  supplied  several  other 
churches  in  this  county  at  different  times, 

West  Church.  Mr.  Chapin  is  the  present  minister ;  and  also  the 
teacher  of  the  academy  in  this  place. 

Fowler  and  Johnson.  Mi*.  Eells,  the  pastor  of  these  two 
churches,  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Thomas  Robbins  of  East  Wind- 
sor, Conn.  ;  was  licensed  by  the  Hartford  North  Consociation,  and  or- 
dained as  an  evangelist  by  the  Presbytery  of  Oswego,  N.  Y.  He  was 
installed  over  these  churches  in  October  1827. 

Hartford.  Mr.  Andrews  was  ordained  and  installed  by  the  Presby- 
tery of  Winchester,  Virginia,  over  the  church  in  Alexandria,  Va.  in 
11* 


126  The    Plan    of    Union. 

1817;  dismissed  in  1827;  and  installed  over  the  church  of  Hartford 
in  the  same  year,  and  still  remains  pastor. 

GusTAVus.  Mr.  Badger  is  senior  pastor  of  this  church,  and  Mr. 
Fenn  his  colleague. 

Greene.     This  church  is  now  vacant. 

Hubbard.  This  church  has  had  supplies  successively  from  several 
ministers. 

Kinsman.  Mr.  McHvaine  commenced  preaching  in  1827 ;  labor- 
ed some  time  in  Monroe,  Michigan,  and  from  thence  came  to  Kins- 
man, where  he  still  continues. 

Liberty.  Mr.  Scott  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  New- 
castle ;  was  installed  pastor  of  this  church  and  that  of  Poland,  in 
April,  1834,  and  still  continues  such. 

Mecca.  Mr.  Calhoon  formerly  preached  in  New  York  State, 
and  is  now  supplying  the  church  in  this  place. 

Milton  and  Newton.  Mr.  Boyd  studied  theology  with  Rev.  John 
McMillan,  D.  D.,  Vice  President  of  Jefferson  College ;  was  licensed 
to  preach  by  the  Presbytery  of  Erie  in  1806  ;  installed  over  this 
church  and  that  of  Warren  in  1808 ;  and  remained  in  this  connec- 
tion until  his  death.  Some  portion^  of  his  time  he  spent  as  a  mis- 
■ionary  under  the  patronage  of  the  Connecticut  Missionary  Society. 
Mr.  Stratton  preaches  here,  at  present,  a  part  of  his  time. 

Poland.  Mr.  Pettenger  was  settled  pastor  of  this  church  for 
six  years.  Mr.  Cook  statedly  supplied  it  for  eighteen  months.  Mr. 
Hanford,  six  months.  Mr.  Wright  studied  theology  with  Rev.  John 
McMillan,  D.  D.,  Vice  President  of  JeflFerson  College ;  was  licensed 
to  preach  by  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio  in  October,  1814 ;  was  settled 
pastor  over  this  church  nearly  sixteen  years ;  and  dismissed  for  the 
purpose  of  spending  his  whole  time  with  the  congregation  in  Westfield, 
Pa. ,  where  he  still  labors.     Mr.  Scott  is  the  present  pastor. 

Mesopotamia.  Mr.  Burbank  is  the  present  minister  of  this 
church. 

Southington,  The  present  minister  of  this  church  is  Mr. 
Barrett. 


Notes  —  Trumbull  Count y.  127 

Vernon.  Mr.  H.  Coe  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Dr.  Fitch,  President 
of  Williams  College,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Coolej,  of  Granville,  Mass.  He 
came  into  this  country  soon  after  he  was  licensed  to  preach,  and 
was  pastor  of  this  church  nearly  sixteen  years,  and  was  dismissed 
to  enter  upon  an  agency  for  the  Western  Reserve  College,  to  which 
he  had  been  previously  invited.  lie  continued  in  this  business  about 
two  years,  and  then  accepted  an  agency  for  the  American  Board  of 
Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  for  the  Reserve  and  Michigan. 
Since  he  entered  upon  this  field  of  labor,  he  has  acted,  for  a  season, 
several  times,  as  agent  for  the  college.  In  both  stations  he  has 
been  efficient  and  successful.  He  resides  at  Hudson.  Mr.  Evans, 
the  present  minister  of  Vernon,  studied  theology  with  Rev.  Eden 
Burroughs,  D.  D.,  of  Hanover,  N.  H.,  the  father  of  the  noted 
Stephen  Burroughs,  who  is  now  a  Catholic  priest  in  Canada.  Mr. 
Evans  was  settled  in  Enfield,  N.  H.,  twenty-one  years.  Between  1826 
and  1834,  he  preached  as  "  stated  supply"  within  the  bounds  of  Roches- 
ter and  Niagara  Presbyteries,   and  came  to  Vernon  in  Sept.,  1834. 

Vienna.  Mr.  Derrow  studied  at  Hamilton  College,  but  did  not 
graduate.  He  pursued  his  theological  studies  under  the  tuition  of 
Rev.  Mr.  Steel,  of  Paris,  N.  Y.,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Norton,  of  Clin- 
ton N.  Y. ;  was  licensed  by  the  Oneida  Association  in  1801 ;  set- 
tled a  number  of  years  in  Homer,  N.  Y.,  was  pastor  of  the  church 
in  Vienna  nearly  four  years ;  then  was  absent  over  six  years,  and 
afterward  returned  and  was  reinstalled  Februrary  6,  1822,  and 
died  in  Vienna,  November  1 8,  1828.  Mr.  Birge  was  licensed  in  1827 ; 
came  to  Ohio  in  1828,  and  spent  one  year  in  New  Philadelphia, 
south  of  the  Reserve  ;  came  to  Vienna  in  1829,  and  was  installed 
in  November,  1830,  and  was  dismissed  by  reason  of  ill  health  in 
May,  1835.     The  church  is  now  vacant. 

Warren.  Mr.  Hulin  preached  to  this  church  six  months  or  more, 
and  then  returned  to  New  England,  and  settled  in  New  Fairfield, 
Conn.  Mr.  Towne  was  settled  over  the  church  in  Hanover,  N.  H., 
from  June  22,  1814,  to  January,  1833 ;  commenced  supplying  the 
church  in  Warren,  May  25, 1834,  and  was  installed  in  May  following. 


128  The    Plan    op    Union. 

YouNGSTOWN.  Mr.  Wick  was  the  second  minister  who  came  to 
the  Reserve,  and  the  first  that  was  installed.  He  studied  theology 
with  Rev.  John  McMillan,  D.  D.,  of  Jefferson  College :  was  set- 
tled over  this  church  in  1800,  and  died  March  29,  1815,  aged  47. 
Mr.  Harnard  supplied  this  church  about  three  years,  and  now  lives 
in  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Mr.  Stafford,  the  present  pastor,  studied  the- 
ology with  Rev.  Timothy  Dwight,  D.  D.,  President  of  Yale  College; 
preached  a  number  of  years  in  New  York ;  was  instrumental  in  es- 
tablishing a  Seaman's  Chapel  in  that  city  ;  performed  a  short  agency 
for  the  Bible  cause,  before  the  American  Bible  Society  was  formed ; 
was  secretary,  for  a  number  of  years,  of  the  Presbyterian  Educa- 
tion Society,  and  came  to  the  Reserve  about  the  year  1829,  and  was 
installed  pastor  of  the  church  in  this  place  April  5,  1830,  and  still 
continues  as  such. 


Summary. 


129 


SUMMARY  OF  THE  FOREGOING  FACTS. 


1800. 
1,144 


1800. 

1 


POPULATION  OP  THE  WESTERN   RESERVE. 

Ifi35. 

1810.       Increase.         1820.         Increase.       1830.          Increase.  Probably. 

16,241       15,097       66,899       41802       112,346       55,447  160,000 

ORGANIZATION   OP  CHURCHES. 

).         Inc.       1830.       Inc.          1835.         Inc.  Unknown, 

,         46         98          33         149          51  10 


1810. 
19 


Inc. 
18 


Increase 
47,654 


Total, 
159 


Mass. 
41 


PLACES   OP  ITATIVITY  OF  MINISTERS. 

Vt.         N.  Y.        Pa.        Me.  England.  Irel'd.  Unknown.   Total. 
11  21  9  1  3  2  15  160 


31 

Hamilton 


WlUiams. 
19 


C.  of  N.  J. 
3 


Dartmouth. 

11 

Union. 

6 


COLLEGE  EDUCATION. 
Middlebury.        Brown,       Amherst. 
9  5  3 


Dickinson. 
1 


Jeff'n. 
9 


Hackney. 

1 


1 


Vt.Univ;       Bowd'n; 
1  1 

Notgr.     Unkn.  Total; 
42  9      160 


Hackney  T  S 

1 


THEOLOGICAL  EDUCATION. 
Bangor  T  S       Princeton  T  3       Aubnm  T  3 
1  15  17 

Private.  Uunknown. 

73  10 


West.  T  3     S  4  W  T  3 

1  1 

Total  i 

160 


In  1800  there  were  in  the  Reserye  two  ministers ;  in  1810  there  were  eight  ;  in 
1820  there  were  twenty-seven ;  in  1830  there  were  seventy-two ;  and  up  to  1835  there 
have  been  one  hundrbd  and  twelve,  of  whom'thirteen  have  either  died  or  removed 
from  the  Reserve. 


Number  of  Tcnonsfnps,  Churches,  Destitute  Ohurches,  and  Townships  cohere  there  is  no 
Presbyterian  or  Congregational  Church,  in  each  County. 


Counties 

Tpa. 

Ohs. 

Dest. 

No  Chs; 

Ashtabula,   .       . 

27 

20 

14 

6 

Cuyahoga, 

.    18 

11 

8 

Geauga, 

23 

23 

3 

Huron,      . 

.    31 

18 

12 

Lorsine, 

18 

14 

3 

Medina.    . 

.    19 

16 

4 

Portage, 

30 

28 

9 

6 

Trumbull, 

.    35 

29 

5 

6 

Totals,     ...        201  159  55  49 

Therejhave  been  erected  for  the  Reserve,  within  the  last  six  years,  about  sixty- 
meeting  houses,  neat,  comfortable,  and  of  respectable  appearance,  by  the  Presbyte 
rian  denomination. 


130 


The   Plan    op    Union. 


The  following  statistics,  extracted  from  the  Minutes  of  the 
General  Assembly,  will  show  the  strength  of  the  Synod  at  the 
different  times  specified : 

In  1837  the  Western  Reserve  Synod  embraced  eight  Pres- 
byteries : 


o 

'D 

w 

p" 

•< 
a 

o 

►« 

1814 

1818 

27 

29 

1 

4 

85 

24 

1864 

1946 

W 

* 

yf 

o 

a 

R 

P 

c 

» 

c 

1822 

1842 

1827 

17 

]■?. 

1 

23 

8 

IS 

1126 

212 

1232 

s 

S 

■< 

►1 

P* 

1842 

1830 

11 

2 

10 

463 

1836 
10 

13 


106 


131 

6843 


Organized 

Number  of  Ministers 

"  Licentiates 

"  Churches 

"  Communicants 

♦Maumee  and  Elyria  were  reorganized  in  1842.    The  date  of  their  first  organiza- 
tion I  have  not  learned.    Elyria  covers  the  ground  formerly  occupied  hy  Lorain. 

In  1840  the  statistics  were  as  follows : 


Number  of  Ministers 

"  Licentiates 

"  Churche* 

"  Communicants. 


>-l 

►1 

^ 

t 

W 

p 

re 

1-3 
>-t 

1 

2 

27 

28 

32 

6 

12 

15 

10 

1 

4 

6 

3 

2 

35 

22 

36 

7 

18 

12 

14 

1964 

1820 

2025 

243 

1227 

1110 

681 

130 

15 

146 

7843 


In  1846  the  Reports  to  the  Gleneral  Assembly  showed  eight 
Presbyteries ;  one  hundred  and  thirty  Ministers ;  fifteen  Licen- 
tiates ;  one  hundred  and  forty-six  Churches,  and  nine  thousand 
six  hundred  and  twenty-five  Communicants.  In  1850  there 
were  eight  Presbyteries;  one  hundred  and  thirty  Ministers; 
nineteen  Licentiates ;  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  Churches ; 
and  eight  thousand  five  hundred  and  sixty-six  Communicants. 
In  1855  there  were  seven  Presbyteries;  one  hundred  and 
twenty-two  Ministers;    seven  Licentiates;    one  hundred  and 


Statistics. 


131 


ten  Churches ;  and  six  thousand   seven    hundred  and  thirty- 
one  Communicants. 

In  1845  llev.  G.  E.  Pierce,  D.  D.,  collected  statistics  rela- 
tive to  all  the  Congregational  and  Presbyterian  Churches  of 
the  Reserve.     The  following  summary  gives  the  results  of  his 


Cong.  Chs.,  connected  with  Presbytery 

Presbyterian  Churches,  Old  School 

"  "  New  School 

Independent  Churches,  Orthodox  Congrega. 
W.  R.  Association,  Oberlin  Congregational.. 


f  9 


6801 


1906 
1024 


Average  Membership  in  Congregational  Churches,  56. 
"  "  Presbyterian  "  120. 

In  looking  over  the  above  table,  the  reader  will  be  surprised 
to  find  the  Presbyteries  containing  so  large  a  proportion  of 
Congregational  or  partly  Congregational  Churches.  The  only 
explanation  of  this  phenomenon  is  found  in  the  adaptation  of 
the  Plan  of  Union  to  satisfy  and  harmonize  people  and  churches 
attached  to  the  two  polities. 

The  following  statistics  are  taken  from  the  "Western  Reserve 
Register,  published  at  Hudson,  by  Sawyer,  IngersoU  &  Co.,  in 
1852 ;  they  are  not  perfect,  but  give  a  nearly  correct  view  of 
the  Churches  at  that  time  : 


PBKSBYTERIAlf  AND  CONGEEGATIONAL   CHURCHES,  PASTORS    AND   COMMU- 
NICAMTS. 

Congregational  Churches  marked  Pr.,  are  in  connection  with  the 
Presbyteries  of  W.  R.  Synod.  Those  not  thus  designated,  are  inde- 
pendent, or  united  in  consociations.     A  quere  (?)  is  appended  to  a 


132  The  Plan  of  Union. 

few  churches  of  whose  ecclesiastical  connection  we  are  not  altogether 
certain.     P.,  Pastor;  S.  S.,  Stated  Supply;  W.  C,  Without  Charge. 

ASHTABULA  COUNTY. 

Andover.  —  Congregational  Pr.  (?)  "W.  Yates.  50  Communicants. — 
(West  Andover),  Cong.,  U.  T.  Chamberlain,  60  com. 

Ashtabula. — Pres,,  Augustus  Pomeroy,  P.,  140  com. 

Ausiinhurgh. — Cong.,  J.  H.  Avery.  150  com. 

Cherry  Valley. — Cong. 

Conneaut.  — Pres.,  Edmunds  F.  Dickinson,  P.,  121  com. 

Geneva.  — Cong.  Pr.,  Sherman  D.  Taylor,  S.  S.,  105  com. 

Harpersfield, — Cong.,   (at  Unionville),  60  com.     (See  Madison.) 

Jefferson  —  Cong.  Pr.,  Wm.  Burton,  S.  S.,  29  com. 

Kingsville.  —  Pres.,  Erastus  C.  Williams,  S.  S.,  50  com. 

Lenox. — Cong.,  S.  S.,  45  Com.  Pres.,  Vacant,  40  com. 

Monroe.  —  Cong.,  L.  Beach,  100  com. 

Morgan.  —  Cong.,  V.,  50  com. 

Sheffield.  — Cong.,  (?),  V. 

Orwell.  —  Cong.  Pr.,  Lewis  Godden,  S.  S.,  20  com. 

Fierpont. — Cong.,  (?),  H.  Green,  31  com. 

Rome.  —  Cong.  Pres.,  Alanson  Saunders,  S.  S.,  25  com. 

Sayhrook.  —  Cong.,  N.  Day,  50  com. 

Wayne.  —  Cong.  Pr.,  Francis  E.  Lord,  P.,  Hiram  A.  Babcock,  W.  C, 
85  com. 

Williamsfield.  —  Cong.,  George  Roberts,  100  com.  (At  Centre),  Cong., 
W.  B.  Orvis,  60  Com.,  Ephraim  J.  Woodbury,  Pr.,  W.  C. 

CUYAHOGA  COUNTY. 

BrecJcsville. — Cong.  Pr.,  W.  S.  Kennedy,  115  com.,  Chester  Chapin, 

W.  C. 
Brooklyn.  —  (Cr.)  Cong.  Pr.,  Calvin  Durfee,  40  com.     Thomas  Lee, 

W.  C.     Pres.,  (Ohio  City),  J.  A.  Thome,  P.,  134  com. 

Chagrin  Falls.  —  Cong.,  Taylor. 

Cleveland.— l&t  Pres.,  S.  C.  Aiken,  D.  D.,  P.,  318  com.;  2d  Pres.,  S. 


Statistics.  133 

B.  Canfield,  P.,  234  com.;   3d  Pres.,  E.  H.  Nevin,  P.  ;  a  4th  Pres. 

church  and  a  Cong,  church  are  organized,  and  arrangements  made 

for  building;    Associate  Pres.,  J.  McGill,   P.,    60  com.  ;  German 

Protestant,  A.  Allardt,    P.,  300  com.;   German  Lutheran,    David 

Schuh,  P.,  350  com. 

Resident. — Rev.  \Vm.  Day,  Chaplain  Bethel ;  R.  H.  Leonard, 

Sec;  S.  H.  Lacy,  E.  N.  Sawtell,  Agents ;  S.  T.  Mills  and  S.  W. 

Burrit,  W.  C. 

East  Cleveland.  —  Pres., Torrey,  S.  S.,  64  com. 

Euclid. — Pres.,  Jonathan  Bigelow,  P.  112  com. 

Dover. — Cong.,  Abram  Blakeley,  77  com. 

Independence. — Cong.,  Pr.,  Benj.  F.  Sharp,  S.  S.,  14  com. 

May  field.  — Pres.,  vacant,  20  com. 

Newhurg.  —  Pres.,  James  Shaw,  S.  S.,  26  Com.;  Joseph  H.  Breck,  W.  C. 

Olmstead.  —  Cong.,  vacant. 

Parma.  —  Cong.  Pr.,  Phineas  Kingsley  (res.  Cleveland),  S.  S.,  54  com. 

Rockport.  — Cong.,  vacant. 

Solon. — Cong.  Pr.,  John  Seward,  33  com.,  Ebenezer  Ward,  W.  C. 

Strongsville. — Cong.  Pr.,  vacant,  90  com.;  Cong.,  vacant,  30  Com., 

Hervey  Lyon,  Teacher. 

ERIE  COUNTY. 

Berlin. — Cong.  Pr.,  Joseph  H.  Scott,  S.  S.,  80  com. 

Florence.  — Cong.  Pr.,  Eldad  Barber,  P.,  44  com.  Pres.,  (at  Birming- 
ham), Jonathan  B.  Parlin,  36  com. 

Huron.  —  Pres.,  Cornelius  H.  Taylor,  S.  S.,  30  com. 

Margaretta.  —  (Castalia)  Cong.,  Pr.,  H.  A.  Rossiter,  S.  S.,  73  com. 

Milan.  — Cong.  Pr.,  Newton  Barrett,  P.,  204  com. 

Sandusky  City. — Pres.,  Caleb  J.  Pitkin,  S.  S.,  100  com.,  Cong., 

Fairfield,  Leverett  Hull,  Agent  S.  F.  Society. 

Vermillion.  —  Cong.  Pr.,  Almon  G.  Martin,  S.  S.,  30  com. 

GEAUGA  COUNTY. 

Bainhridge.  —  Cong.,  Mead  Holmes,  55  com. 
Batavia. — Cong.,  D.  Witter,  (res.  Burton). 
12 


134  The   Plan    op    Union. 

Burton.  —  Cong.,  Pr.,  Ebenezer  Bushnell,  80  com. 

Chester.— Qong.,  Pr.,  Wm.  Dempsey,  S.  S.,  152  com. 

Claridon.  —Cong.,  Wm.  Potter,  S.  S.,  140  com. 

Hampden.  —  Cong.,  Pr.,  S.  V.  Blakeslee,  S.  S.,  65  com. 

Huntsbury.— Cong.,  V.  D.  Taylor,  S.  S. 

Montville.  — Cong.,  vacant. 

Newbury.  — Cong.,  Pr.,  Dexter  Witter,  (res.  Burton),  S.  S.,  25  com. 

Parkman. — Cong.,  L.  S.  Ely,  18  com.     (At  Bundysburg),  Associate 

Pres., S.  S.,  12  com. 

Thompson.  —  Cong.,  Thomas  Adams,  80  com. 

J^oy.  —  Cong.,  J.  M.  Frazer,  60  com.     Joseph  A.  Pepoon,  Monson, 

W.  C. 

HURON  COUNTY. 
JBronson. — Cong.,  Pr.,  Joel  Talcott,  30  com. 
Clarksfield.  — Cong.,  Charles  Pierce,  82  com. 
Fitchville.  —  Pres.,  Marcus  Palmer.     Cong.,  S.  H.  Waldon,  30  com. — 

Abram  C.  Dubois,  W.  C. 
Fairfield  (North).— Gong.,  E.  P.  Salmon,  73  com. 
Greenfield.  —  Cong.,  Pr.,  R.  S.  Lockwood,  65  com. 
£yme.  —  Cong.,  Pr.,  Henry  N.  Bissell,  P.,  89  com. 
Norxcalk. — Pres.,  Alfred  Newton,  P.,  88  com.     Joseph  M.  Hayes, 

Teacher.     Thomas  Kennan,  W.  C. 
Peru.  —  Cong.,  Pr.,  Enoch  Conger,  S.  S.,  49  com. 
Bidgefield.  —  (Monroevllle).  Cong.,  Pr.,    Chas.  W.  Clapp,  P.,  58  com. 
Ripley.  — Cong.,  Pr.,  Absolom  K.  Barr,  S.  S.,  25  com.     Cong.,  Amos 

Dresser,  12  com. 
Ruggles.  —  Cong.,  Pr.,  Ebenezer  P.  Sperry,  S.  S.,  45  com. 
Sherman.  — Cong.,  Pr.,  vacant,  15  com. 
Wakeman.  —  IstCong.,  Pr.,  vacant,  24  com.;  2d  Cong.,  vacant,  75  com. 

LAKE  COUNTY. 
Concord.  —  Cong. 

Kirtland,  —  Cong.,  Freeman  Coe,  125  com. 
Leroy.  —  Cong. 


Statistics.  135 

Madison.  — Cong.,  vacant.  Cong.,  (at  Centreville),  vacant,  85  com. 
Cong.,  (at  Unionville,)  vacant,  GO  com, 

Fainesville. — Pres.,  J.  Mills  Gillet,  P.,  141  com. 
Willoughby.—Qong.,  Pr.,  Alvan  Nash,  S.  S.,  60  com, 
LORAIN  COUNTY. 

Amherst.  —  Cong.,  Pr.,  vacant,  24  com.     Cong,,  vacant, 

Avon.  —  Cong.,  William  F,  Millikan,  S,  S.,  42]com. 

Black  River.  — Cong.,  A,  H.  Betts,  S.  S.,  (res.  Brownhelm),  26  com, 

Brighton.  — Cong.,  Erastus  Cole,  35  com. 

Brownhelm.  —  Cong.,  Pr.,  Hubbard  Lawi'ence,  S.  S,,  115  com- 

Camden.  — Pres.,  vacant,  14  com. 

Carlisle.  — Cong.,  vacant,  25  com. 

Columbia.  — Cong,,  vacant. 

Elyria.  — Cong.,  Pr,,  David  A.  Grosvenor,  P.,  197  com. 

Eaton  (N.)  —  Cong,,  G.  C,  Judson,  (res.  Grafton,) 

Grafton.  —  Cong.,  G.  C  Judson,  40  com. 

Huntington. — Cong.,  Ansel  R.  Clark,  42  com. 

La  Grange.  —  Cong,,  vacant,  12  com, 

Penfield. — Cong.,  Samuel  Penfield,  41  com. 

Pittsfield. — Cong,,  Austin  N.  McConaugh,  88  com. 

Ridgeville. — Cong.,  J,  L.  Tomlinson. 

Rochester.  — Cong.,  Pr.,  Madison  Elliott,  S.  S,,  39  com. 

Russia.  —  (Oberlin),  Cong.,  Charles  G.  Finney,  P,,  John  Morgan,  Ass. 
P,,  850  com.  J,  Keep,  W,  C,,  Henry  Cowles,  James  H,  Fairchild, 
James  Monroe,  Henry  E.  Peck,  Henry  E.  Whipple,  res.  Prof.'s. 

Sheffield.  —Cong.,  James  B.  Wright,  40  com. 

Wellington.  —  Ansel  R.  Clark,  (res.  Huntington),  107  com. 

MAHONING  COUNTY. 

Austintown. — Pres.,  (Reform),  L,  Sterrit,  60  com.     Covenanters,  R. 

McCracken,  70  com,  (?)     (Ref,)  N,  S,,  V,,  60  com. 
Boardman.  —  Cong.,  Pr,,*  James  P.  Price,  20  com. 
Canfield. — Pres.,*  J.  Reeser,  85  com,      Pres.,  (Dutch),  H.  Sohen- 

decker,  80  com,     Cong,,  W.  Barr,  (?)  22, 


136  The    Plan    of    Union. 

CoiUvilie. — Pres.,*  Abner  0.  Rockwell,   (res.  Hubbard),  55  com. 

EUsioorth.  —  Cong.,  Pr.,  Loomis  Chandler,  93^com. 

Jackson.  — ^Ger.  Reform,  J.  R.  Ruhl,  80  com.     Lutheran,  F.  C.  Baker, 

120  com. 
Poland.— ^TQS.,*  Joseph  Kerr,  P.,  168  com.     Pres.,  (Ass.)  D.  Good- 

■vvillie,  155  com.     Pres.,  (Free),  at  Lowell,  20  com. 
Youngstown.  — Pres.,  Charles  A.  Boardman,  142  com. 

MEDINA  COUNTY. 

Brunsmck.  —  Cong.,  Pr.,  Timothy  Williston,  S.  S.,  42  com. 

Chatham.  —  Cong.,  Caleb  Burbank,  P.,  52  com.      Cong,,  P., 

49  com. 

Q-ranger.  —  Cong., 45  com. 

Guilford.— 1  Pres.,*  1  Cong. 

Hinckley.  — Cong.,  Pr.,  Horace  Smith,  (res.  Richfield),  42  com. 

Harrisville.  —  Cong. 

Lafayette.  —  Cong. 

Litchfieid —  Cong. 

Medina  — Cong.,  F.  H.  Brown,  P.,  120  (?)  com.  Cong.,  (at  Wey- 
mouth),   S.  S.,  45  (? )  com. 

Sharon. — Cong.,  Johnson,  P.,  44  ( ? )  com. 

Wadsworth  —  Cong.,  Pr.,  vacant,  25  com. 

Westfield. — Cong.,  Pr.,  vacant,  21  com. 

York -^ Cong.,  R.  Hatch,  65  (?)  com. 

PORTAGE  COUNTY. 
Atwater  —  Cong.,  Pr.,  Elias  C.  Sharp,  140  com. 
Aurora. — Cong.,  Pr.,  J.  S.  Graves,  67  com. 
Brimfeld —  Cong.,  vacant,  42  ( ?  )  com. 
Charlestown. — Pres.,  vacant,  14  com.     Cong.,  Robert  Hunter,  3(?) 

com. 
Deerfield-VvQB.,^  (at  North  Benton),  Wm.  0.  Stratton,  P.,  165  com. 
Edinburgh. — Cong.,  vacant,  55  com. 

*  A  star  is  annexed  to  churches  in  connection  with  0.  S.  General  Assembly. 


Statistics.  137 

Franklin. — Cong.,  Wm.  D.  Sanders,  (res.  Cleveland.) 

Freedom. — Cong.,  Francis  S.  Fuller,  100  com.     Friend  M.  Deming, 

W.  C. 
Mantua.— Cong.,  Pr.,  Seth  G.  Clark,  Agent  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.     Samuel 

Lee,  S.  S.,  48  com. 
Nelson. — Cong.,  Pr.,  Franklin  Maginnis,  P.,  80  com.     (At  Garretts- 

ville),  Cong.,  Pr.,  vacant,  30  com. 
Palmyra.  —  Cong.,  Pr.,  A.  G.  Tuttle,  12  com.    Associate  Pr.,  John 

R.  Slentz,  (res.  at  Hudson),  12  com.     Welsh  Cong.,  J.  Williams, 

60  ( ?  )  com. 
Paris.  — Welch  Cong.,  J.  Williams,  (res.  at  Palmyra),  60  (? )  com. 
Randolph. — Cong.,  J.  Merriam,  P.,  56  com.     Ger.  Lutheran,  George 

Weaver,  25  com. 
Ravenna.  — Cong.,  Rufus  Nutting,  Jr.,  145  (? ).     Cong.,  W.  Burr. 
Rootstown.  —  Cong.,  Pr.,  Jairus  Ordway,  77  com. 
Shalersville. — Cong.,  Eleazer  Hale,  12  (?). 
Streetsborough. — Cong.,  Pr.,  vacant,  40  com. 
Suffield.  —  German  Lutheran,  George  Weaver,  65  com. 
Windham.  — Cong.,  Pr.,  Hiram  Bingham,  177  com. 

SUMMIT  COUNTY. 

Ahron.  —Cong.,  N.  P.  Bailey,  P.,  82  (? ). 

Rath. — Cong.,  Pr.,  Horace  Smith,  S.  S.,  (res.  at  Richfield),  30  com. 

Boston.  — Cong.,  Pr.,  George  W.  Palmer,  17  com. 

Copley. — Cong.,  Pr.,  vacant,  23  com. 

Cuyahoga  Falls.  — Cong.,  S.  P.  Leeds,  81  com. 

Hudson.  —Cong.,  John  C.  Hart,  110  (? )  com.     Cong.,  Pr.,  W.  R.  C, 

Prof.  Elijah  P.  Barrows,  Jr.,  140  com.     George  E.  Pierce,  D.  D., 

Pres. ;  C.  Long,  D.  D.,  H.  N.  Day,  S.  C.  Bartlett,  (Res.  Prof.'s)  ; 

N.  L.  Lord,  Financial  Secretary ;  Chauncey  Eddy,  Myron  Tracy, 

Agents ;  Caleb  Pitkin,  Harvey  Coe,  W.  C. 
Northampton.  — Cong.,  Pr.,  G.  W.  Palmer,  (res.  Peninsula),  26  com. 
Northfield.  — Pres.,^  John  Andrews,  P.,  75  com.     Ass.  Pr.,  James  W 

Logue,  P.,  70  com. 
12* 


138  The    Plan    of    Union. 

Norton.  — Cong,,  Pr.,  vacant,  25  com.     Lutheran  church . 

Richfield.— Cong.,  J.  C.  Leonard,  80  (?). 

Sjpringfield.  —  'Pres.,*  (at  Mogadore),  John  D.  Hughes,  119  com.;  Ass. 

Pres.,  John  R.  Slentz,  (res.  at  Hudson),  14  com. 
Stowe.  —  Ass.  Pres.,  John  R.  Slentz,  25  com. 
Tallmadge.  — Cong.,  Pr.  Carlos  Smith,  S.  S.,  William  Hanford,  W,  C, 

196  com.     (At  Middlebury),  Pres.,  Elroy  Curtis,  46  com.    (At  Mid- 

dlebury,)  2d  Cong., Smith,  (?),(?)  com. 

Twimburgh.  —  Pres.,  Horace  W.  Palmer,  P.,  140  com. 

TRUMBULL  COUNTY. 


Bazeita.  — Pres.,  Isaac  Winans,  45  com.    Ass.  Pres., , 

S.  S.,  17  com. 
Bloomfield.  —  Cong.,  Pr.,  vacant,  56  com, 
Braceville.  —  Cong.,  Pr.,  B.  Y.  Messenger,  37  com. 
Bristol.  —  Cong.,  Pr.,  vacant,  52  com. 
Brookfield.  —  Pres.,*  Wm.  McCombs,  P.,  54  com. 
Ckarnpion.  —  Pres.,*  Joseph  S.  Dickey,  38  com.    German  Reformed, 

Samuel  Leachreat,  20  com. 
Farmington.  —  Cong.,  Pr.,  Warren  Taylor,  S.  S.,  36  com.     Cong.,  P. 

A.  Bean,  (?)  45  com. 
Fowler. — Cong.,  J.  Winans,  S.  S. 
Greene. — Cong.,  Pr.,  vacant,  30  com. 
Oiistavus. — Cong.,  Pr.,  John  B,  Allen,  P.,  135  com, 
Hartford.  —  Cong.,  H.  H.  Fairchild,  60  com. 
Hubbard.  — Pres.,*  Abner  0.  Rockwell,  P.,  115  com. 
Johnston.  — Pres.,  H.  Betts,  (res.  at  Vienna),  40  com,    Cong.,  Robert 

Otis,  Ozias  S.  Eells. 
Kinsman. — Cong.,  Pr.,  Henry  D.  Eldred,  126  com.    Ass,  Pre8.,B,   S. 

A.  McLean,  (?)  40  com. 
Liberty.  — Pres.,*  Joseph  Kerr  (res.  at  Poland),  73  com.     Ass.  Prei., 

D.  Goodwillie,  165  com. 
Lordstown.  — Pres.,*  Joseph  Dickey,  P.,  27  com. 
Mecca.  —  Cong.,  vacant. 


Statistics.  139 

Mesopotamia.  —  Cong.,  Pr,,  Hezekiah  W.  Osborne,  60  com. 

Newton. — Cong.,  Pr.,  W.  R.  Stevens,  08  com,     Pres.,*  William  0. 

Stratton  (res,  at  N.  Benton),  47  com. 
Southington. — Cong.,  Pr,,  Geo,  D.  Youug,  S.  S.,  39  com.     Lutheran, 

J,  R.  Ruhl,  110. 
Vernon.  —  Cong. ,  P.  Keep,  45  com, 
Warren. — Pres.,  William  C.  Clark,  201  com.     German  Reformed,  N. 

Paltzgroff,  50  com. 


PART  SECOND 


ECCLESIASTICAL  ORGANIZATIONS. 


"  For  by  one  Spirit  are  we  all  baptized  into  one  body,  whether  wo  are  Jews  or 
Gentiles;  whether  we  be  bond  or  free." 

"Now,  I  beseech  you,  brethren,  mark  them  which  cause  divisions  and  offenses* 
contrary  to  the  doctrine  which  ye  have  learned,  and  avoid  them," — Paul. 


CHAPTER  I 


ECCLESIASTICAL  ORGANIZATIONS. 

We  have  seen  that  the  Reserve  was  settled  by  immigrants 
from  New  England,  and  also  from  Pennsylvania  and  the  States 
south  of  it.  The  missionaries,  in  like  manner,  were  partly  from 
Congregational  and  partly  from  Presbyterian  regions.  The 
immigrants  and  missionaries,  of  course,  brought  with  them  the 
ecclesiastical  preferences  imbibed  in  the  regions  from  which  they 
came;  and  all  history  testifies  that  of  nothing  are  men  more 
tenacious  than  of  their  religious  predilections  and  prejudices. 

A  certain  smart  lecturer  upon  Church  Polity  says,  that  "  there 
are  two,  and  only  two,  forms  of  church  government.  Popery 
and  Congregationalism,  or  despotism  and  democracy."  Were 
the  Professor  as  comprehensive  as  he  is  smart,  he  might  have 
said,  more  truthfully,  there  are  two  extremes  of  church  polity, 
Popery  and  Independency,  or  absolute  monarchy  and  democ- 
racy; and  between  these  extremes  are  found  several  whole- 
some varieties  and  modifications,  each  adapted  to  certain  peo- 
ples and  conditions  of  society.  As  in  civil  governments  may 
be  found  various  constitutional  Monarchies,  and  Republics,  bet- 
ter than  either  extreme,  of  despotism  or  pure  democracy ;  so  in 

(143) 


144  The    Plan    op    Union  • 

ecclesiasticism,  we  have  Episcopacy,  Presbyterianism,  and  Asso- 
ciated Congregationalism,  each  in  its  place  better  than  Papacy 
or  Independency.  And,  ignore  it  who  will,  the  last  half  cen- 
tury has  also  developed  a  new  type  or  modification  of  ecclesi- 
asticism, worthy  of  a  place  in  history;  which  we  may  call  co- 
operative Presbyterianism,  Plan  of  Unionism,  or  Presbyteri- 
alized  Congregationalism.  Christ  and  the  Apostles  gave  only 
the  rudimental  germ  of  church  organization,  which  was  to  de- 
velope  itself  spontaneously  in  different  ages  and  countries,  adapt- 
ing itself  to  the  people  and  circumstances  around  it.  The 
idea  of  a  particular  form  of  church  government,  prescribed  in 
its  details  by  Inspiration,  and  enjoined,  ^^jure  divino^^  is  a 
figment  of  sectarian  imaginations.  No  two  ages  of  history 
can  show  an  ecclesiasticism  perfectly  identical,  if  there  be  any 
vitality  in  them.  Christ  never  meant  to  stereotype  nor  petrify 
His  Church ;  as  an  exclusive  and  unchangeable  ecclesiasticism 
would  do. 

The  propagandist  of  any  polity,  is  a  poor  substitute  for  a 
Christian  apostle  and  evangelist.  Such  were  not  the  early 
missionaries  of  the  Reserve.  Any  ecclesiasticism  without  the 
fresh  life  of  Christ  in  it,  is  but  a  dead  body.  But  that  life  is 
adequate  to  vitalize  any  body  into  which  it  enters.  And  while 
some  forms  of  church  order  are  doubtless  better  adapted  to  ex- 
press the  life  of  Godliness  than  others,  it  will  ever  be  found  that 
the  form  which  grows  up  naturally  out  of  living  piety,  and 
answers  the  place  and  the  people,  to  which  it  belongs,  is  there 
and  then  the  best  form.  Upon  this  principle  each  prom- 
inent type  and  development  of  ecclesiasticism  excepting  the  ex- 
tremes, may  be  vindicated  in  its  proper  time  and  place ;  and 


Ecclesiastical    Organizations.     145 

each  is  objectionable  out  of  its  place.  Episcopacy  has  a  na- 
tural adaptation  to  an  aristocracy  devoted  to  tradition  and 
formalisms,  with  neither  spirituality  nor  enterprise  adequate 
to'  any  spontaneous  activity.  Methodism  finds  its  legitimate 
field  in  pioneer  regions,  and  amongst  the  poor  and  more  illiter- 
ate classes  in  every  country.  Congregationalism  is  indigenous  in 
New  England,  and  nothing  can  be  preferable,  for  a  people  homo- 
geneous in  character,  orderly  in  habits,  intelligent,  cultivated  and 
independent  in  spirit,  if  they  have  been  educated  under  it  and 
attached  to  it.  Presbyterianism  is  as  native  in  New  Jersey  and 
Pennsylvania;  and  being  strictly  a  Republican  system,  affili- 
ates admirably  with  American  Institutions,  and  works  efficient- 
ly and  orderly  wherever  a  representative  government  can  ex- 
ist. And  it  is  a  baseless  assumption,  that  there  can  be  no  suc- 
cessful combinations  of  any  of  the  above  forms  of  polity,  and 
no  new  and  valuable  modifications  and  types  of  ecclesiasticism. 
The  two  things  most  desirable  in  all  governments  are  freedom 
and  stability,  the  possibility  of  combined  order  and  progress; 
and  whatever  polity  secures  stability,  order  and  efficiency,  and  at 
the  same  time  leaves  adqeuate  liberty  and  scope  for  the  ener- 
gies of  the  Church  to  work  and  advance  in  her  proper  sphere, 
is  a  good  and  lawful  polity.  These  conditions  are  fulfilled  in 
the  characteristic  ecclesiasticism  of  the  Western  Reserve,  formed 
under  the  Plan  of  Union.  The  larger  proportion  of  the  settlers 
upon  the  Reserve,  and  of  the  missionaries  after  1812,  coming 
from  New  England  with  Congregational  preferences,  it  would 
have  been  expected  naturally,  that  when  churches  and  ecclesi- 
astical bodies  were  formed,  the  Congregational  polity  would 
have  been  adopted.     Had  the  pioneers  possessed  a  little  of  the 


14G  The    Plan    of    Union. 

denominational  zeal  which  some  of  their  successors  have  exhib- 
ited, they  certainly  would  have  shown  the  Plan  of  Union  little 
favor.     Happily  they  had  more  piety  than  sectarianism. 

In  favor  of  Presbyterial  organizations,"  were  the  tenacity 
of  what  Presbyterians  there  were,  for  their  favorite  system ; 
the  influence  of  the  Presbyterian  ministers  who  almost  exclu- 
sively occupied  the  field  from  1806  to  1812 ;  the  remoteness 
of  New  England  and  all  Congregational  churches  with  whom 
intercourse  and  sympathy  could  be  found;  the  intense  yearning 
for  society  and  companionship  which  feeble,  scattered  churches 
and  Christians  in  remote  and  wild  regions  experience;  and  the 
fact  that  Presbyterian  churches  and  Presbyteries  existed  con- 
tiguous to  the  Reserve,  which  exhibited  a  polity  well  adapted 
to  unite  and  control  the  heterogeneous  elements  collected  in  this 
region. 

The  social  instinct  is  strongest  apparently'where  most  denied  ; 
and  Christian  communion  is  most  prized  by  those  who  have 
fewest  facilities  for  it.  Moreover  those  who  can  with  difficulty 
secure  religious  ordinances,  and  hear  preaching,  and  must  exert 
every  capability  to  secure  anything  in  the  form  of  a  church, 
are  not  apt  to  be  over-particular  regpacting  the  form  of  polity, 
contingencies  and  non-essentials,  of  their  religious  institutions. 
Their  religion  is  spirit  and  life.  Hence,  rare  as  charity  is  under 
the  sun,  it  was  not  strange  that  the  founders  of  the  Reserve 
churches  were  willing  to  make  mutual  concessions,  and  subject 
their  preferences  for  Paul  and  Apollos,  to  their  common  unity 
in  Christ,  and  cooperate  harmoniously  in  worshiping  God,  and 
sustaining  christian  ordinances. 

Accordingly,  we  find  that  the  social  marriage  here  consum- 


Ecclesiastical    Organizations.      147 

mated,  between  immigrants  from  uiflTcrcnt'Statcs,  bad  its  coun- 
terpart in  the  religious  and  eclesiastical  history  of  the  people. 

They  adopted  the  conviction,  that  christians,  agreeing  in 
doctrine  and  spirit,  differing  only  upon  some  trivial  points  of 
church  polity,  when  planting  new  churches,  in  troublous  times 
and  in  western  forests,  might,  for  the  details  of  their  organ- 
izations, consult  their  Bibles,  and  existing  circumstances,  more 
than  their  imported  '^platforms"  and  "books  of  discipline," 
and  might  suffer  their  ecclesiasticism  to  grow  up  naturally  out 
of  the  materials,  and  under  the  formative  influences,  that  sur- 
rounded them.  To  start,  side  by  side,  churches  of  different 
form,  where  there  were  scarcely  materials  adequate  for  a  single 
church  was  simply  impracticable.  And  had  it  been  possible  to 
start  Presbyterian,  and  Congregational  churches  upon  the  same 
soil,  the  rivalry  and  sectarianism,  that  would  probably  be  en- 
gendered, were  not  things  which  our  pioneer  fathers  cared  to 
introduce. 

By  combination  and  charitable  concession,  and  the  harmo- 
nious cooperation  of  all  available  materials  and  resources, 
worship  might  be  sustained,  and  churches  formed.  Otherwise, 
many  years  must  pass,  and  the  religious  elements  be  mainly 
suffered  to  die  out,  before  religious  institutions  could  be  at- 
tempted. Under  these  circumstances,  the  practicability  of  a 
general  union  of  Presbyterians  and  Congregationalists,  was 
naturaly  suggested  and  entertained;  and  the  design  conceived  of 
forming  a  somewhat  new  and  indigenous  order  of  ecclesiasticism, 
adapted  to  these  new  settlements.  There  were  those,  also,  who 
hoped  that  the  sectarianism  of  older  regions  might  not  be  im- 
ported into  the  new ;  and  who  even  dreamed  that  the  predicted 


148  The    Plan    of    Union. 

age  of  charity  and  harmony,  when  the  children  of  God  should 
"see  eye  to  eye/'  might  be  approaching j  and  who  were  ready 
to  make  an  experiment  in  favor  of  uniting  two  varieties  of 
church  order,  so  nearly  affiliated. 

And  strange  as  it  may  appear  in  these  days  of  "  school"  and 
sectarian  "  conventions/'  and  denominational  "  extension"  pro- 
jects, in  those  less  selfish  years,  two  bodies  no  less  extensive,  and 
influential  than  the  General  Association  of  Connecticut,  and 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States,  entertained  the  hope  of  promoting  such  a  union 
in  the  missionary  fields  of  the  west.  With  a  self-forgetfulness 
and  a  regard  for  religion,  rather  than  for  sect,  quite  incompre- 
hensible to  many  zealous  sectaries  of  the  present  day,  those 
bodies  recomended  unity  amongst  christians  in  the  new  set- 
tlements, and  seemed  more  anxious  to  build  up  Christ's  King- 
dom, than  their  own  ecclesiasticism. 

The  aim  and  spirit  of  the  Missionary  Society  of  Connecticut, 
may  be  gathered  from  the  following  extract,  from  a  letter  ad- 
dressed, by  the  Trustees  of  that  Society,  to  the  "  Inhabitants  of 
the  New  Settlements  in  the  Northern  and  Western  parts  of  the 
United  States/'  dated  May,  1801. 

"Know,  we  beseecli  you,  that  religion  is  the  great  concern  and  bus- 
iness, the  dignity  and  happiness  of  man.  Seek  first  the  kingdom  of 
God,  and  the  righteousness  thereof.  Labor,  as  soon  as  your  circum- 
stances will  possibly  admit,  to  obtain  the  constant  regular  preaching 
of  the  word  and  administration  of  the  ordinances  among  you,  Be  as- 
sured that  faith  comes  by  hearing.  Until  you  can  obtain  stated 
preaching,  constantly  assemble  every  Lords  day  for  public  worship* 
though  you  may  not  be  able  to  obtain  a  preacher.  Let  your  ablest  and 
best  men  lead  in  your  prayers,  and  read  to  you  sermons  on  the  most 


Ecclesiastical    Organizations.     149 

interesting  and  important  subjects.    And  be  careful  to  be  doers  as  -well 
as  hearers  of  the  word. 

"Diligently  teach  to  your  children  the  catechism,  morals  and  good 
things  contained  in  the  books  we  have  sentj'^ou,  pray  with  them  abun- 
dantly —  restrain  them  from  evil  practices,  — set  them  good  examples, 
and  govern  them  well,  teaching  subordination  to  all  good  government. 

' '  While  we  are  sending  out  unto  you  missionaries,  approved  among  us 
as  pious  and  faithful  brethren,  who,  we  persuade  ourselves  will  spare 
no  pains  to  promote  your  spii-itual  interests  —  we  entreat  you  to 
receive  them  with  the  respect  and  kindness  due  to  the  ministers  of 
Christ,  and  assist  them  in  all  their  labors  for  your  salvation.  We  send 
them  full}^  authorized  to  itinerate  and  preach  the  gospel,  to  catechize 
yovir  children,  instruct  your  people,  and  such  as  have  been  duly  or- 
dained, to  administer  the  ordinances  to  the  proper  subjects;  as  there 
may  be  opportunity  to  gather  and  organize  churches,  and  in  general, 
to  assist  you  in  all  your  spiritual  concerns. 

"The  present  is  a  most  important  time  with  you,  and  the  manner  in 
■which  you  now  conduct  yourselves  will  have  great  and  lasting  influ- 
ence on  the  state  of  the  new  settlements ;  on  your  present  and  future 
state ;  and  on  that  of  your  descendants.     By  order  of  the  Board, 

"Abel  Flint,  Sect." 

That  excellent  society  was  above  any  petty  sectarian  aims 
or  jealousy,  and  sought  to  extend  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  not 
any  particular  ecclesiasticism. 

With  kindred  liberality  and  christian  chanty,  in  view  of 
the  mixed  character  of  the  population  in  many  of  the  new 
settlements,  and  to  prevent  denominational  strife  and  jeal- 
ousies, and  the  consequent  neutralization  of  evangelizing  ef- 
forts, the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
the  Congregational  General  Association  of  Connecticut,  in  the 
year  1801,  adopted  and  sent  forth  to  the  missionaries  and  mis- 
sionary churches  the  following 


150  The    Plan    op    Union. 

PLAN    OF    UNION. 

'^  With  a  view  to  prevent  alienations,  and  promote  union  and 
harmony,  in  those  new  settlements  which  are  composed  of 
inhabitants   from"  Presbyterian   and  Congregational   bodies; 

"1.  It  is  strictly  enjoined  on  all  their  missionaries  to  the 
new  settlements,  to  endeavor  by  all  proper  means  to  promote 
mutual  forbearance  and  accommodation  between  those  inhabi- 
tants of  the  new  settlements,  who  hold  the  Presbyterian,  and 
those  who  hold  the  Congregational,  form  of  church  government. 

"2.  If  in  the  new  settlements  any  church  of  the  Congre- 
gational order  shall  settle  a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  order 
that  church  may,  if  they  choose,  still  conduct  their  discpline 
according  to  Congregational  principles,  settling  their  difficulties 
among  themselves  or  by  a  council  mutually  agreed  upon  for 
that  purpose;  but  if  any  difficulty  shall  exist  between  the 
minister  and  the  church,  or  any  member  of  it,  it  shall  be  re- 
ferred to  the  Presbytery  to  which  the  minister  shall  belong, 
provided  both  parties  agree  to  it ;  if  not  to  a  council  consisting 
of  an  equal  number  of  Presbyterians  and  Congregationalists, 
agreed  upon  by  both  parties. 

"3.  If  a  Presbyterian  church  shall  settle  a  minister  of  Con- 
gregational principles,  that  church  may  still  conduct  their  dis- 
cipline according  to  Presbyterian  principles,  excepting  that  if 
a  difficulty  arise  beetween  him  and  his  church,  or  any  member 
of  it,  the  case  shall  be  tried  by  the  Association  to  which  tbg 
said  minister  shall  belong,  provided  both  parties  agree  to  it 
otherwise  by  a  council  one  half  Congregationalists  and  theoth  er 
half  Presbyterians,  mutually  agreed  upon  by  the  parties. 


Ecclesiastical  Organizations.      151 

''4.  If  any  congregation  consists  partly  of  those  wlio  hold 
the  Congregational  form  of  discipline,  and  partly  of  those  who 
hold  the  Presbyterian  form,  we  recommend  to  both  parties, 
that  this  be  no  obstruction  to  their  uniting  in  one  church  and 
settling  a  minister;  and  that  in  this  case  the  church  choose  a 
standing  committee  from  the  communicants  of  said  church, 
whose  business  it  shall  be,  to  call  to  account  every  member  of 
the  church,  who  shall  conduct  himself  inconsistently  with  the 
laws  of  Christianity;  and  to  give  judgment  on  such  conduct, 
and  if  the  person  condemned  by  their  judgment  be  a  Presby- 
terian, he  shall  have  leave  to  appeal  to  the  Presbytery ;  if  a 
Congregationalist,  he  shall  have  liberty  to  appeal  to  the  body 
of  the  male  communicants  of  the  church ;  in  the  former  case 
the  determination  of  the  Presbytery  shall  be  final,  unless  the 
church  consent  to  a  further  appeal  to  the  Synod,  or  to  the 
General  Assembly ;  and  in  the  latter  case,  if  the  party  con- 
demned shall  wish  for  a  trial  by  mutual  council,  the  case  shall 
be  referred  to  such  council.  And  provided  the  said  standing 
committee  of  any  church  shall  depute  one  of  themselves  to  at- 
tend the  Presbytery,  he  may  have  the  same  right  to  sit  and 
act  in  the  Presbytery,  as  a  ruling  elder  of  the  Presbyterian 
church," 

Such  is  the  famous  *'  Plan  of  Union ;"  and  perhaps  never  was 
article  framed  in  a  more  catholic  spirit,  or  more  perfectly  adapt- 
ed to  promote  christian  charity,  and  union,  between  the 
people  of  God  who  happen  to  be  thrown  together  in  a  forming 
society,  and  yet  diflfer  in  their  views  of  what  is  the  best  method 
of  conducting  church  order  and  discipline.  This  plan  met  the 
approbation  of  the  missionaries  and  of  the  people,  and  soon 


152  The  Plan   of  Union. 

went  into  practical  and  successful  operation.  Under  it  all 
antagonisms  seemed  to  be  liarmonized;  Presbyterian  and  Con- 
gregationalist,  each  found  the  essentials  of  his  favorite  polity 
combined  with  some  of  the  better  features  of  the  other;  and 
they  two  becoming  one,  united  heart,  hand,  and  resources,  in 
building  up  Christ's  Kingdom.  One  of  the  missionaries  writes 
as  follows : 

"In  accordance  with  a  resolution  of  the  General  Assembly,  printed 
copies  of  this  Plan  were  furnished,  not  only  to  missionaries  employed 
by  the  General  Assembly,  but  also  to  those  employed  by  the  Mission- 
ary Society  of  Connecticut.  The  missionaries  receiving  such  instruc- 
tions, given  them  by  the  combined  wisdom  of  the  Presbyterian 
churches  and  the  Congregational  churches  of  Connecticut,  felt  under 
obligation  to  put  forth  evei-y  consistent  effort  to  unite  together  in  one 
harmonious  body,  those  who  by  education,  habit  and  principle,  were 
Presbyterians,  and  those  who  on  similar  grounds  were  Congregation- 
alists.  Had  the  missionaries  pursued  a  different  course,  it  would  have 
been  considered  by  their  employers  as  an  act  of  downi'ight  rebellion, 
and  a  direct  breach  of  the  covenant  formed  between  the  General 
Assembly  and  the  General  Association,  in  the  Plan  of  Union.  By 
accepting  a  missionary  appointment  with  these  instructions  in  their 
hands,  the  missionaries  became  a  party  to  the  contract  involved  in  the 
Plan  of  Union,  and  all  the  churches  they  formed  in  accordance  with 
the  principles  of  this  Plan,  became  parties  to  the  original  contract. 
The  missionary,  with  the  Plan  of  Union  in  his  hand  and  the  love  of 
God  in  his  heart,  would  say  to  the  scattered  inhabitants  of  a  new 
settlement,  starving  for  the  Bread  of  Life,  Be  formed  into  a  church 
according  to  the  terms  of  this  contract,  and  you  see  what  the  General 
Assembly  and  the  General  Association  are  pledged  to  do  on  their  part. 
Without  hesitation  the  people  say.  We  comply  ;  we  put  our  hands  and 
our  seals  to  the  covenant." 

Such  was  the  original  design  and  such  was  the  practical 


Ecclesiastical  Organizations.       153 

effect  of  the  Plan  of  Union  adopted  in  1801,  and  promulgated 
and  sent  forth  anew  in  1806.  llev.  J.  Seward,  from  whom 
we  quote,  continues  — 

"On  entering  this  field,  I  found  this  Plan  in  successful  operation. 
Here  were  Rev.  Messrs.  Badger,  Cowles,  Field,  Derrow  and  Bacon, 
educated  Congregationalists,  laboring  harmoniously  with  Rev.  Messrs. 
Wick,  Boyd,  Bruce,  Barr,  Scott,  Burr  and  Leslie,  who  in  principle  and 
feeling  were  thorough-going  Presbyterians.  Almost  all  of  these  men 
were  missionaries  under  the  Missionary  Society  of  Connecticut,  and 
were  instructed  to  adhere  strictly  to  the  principles  of  the  Plan  of  Union. 
This  they  did,  and  went  forward  as  Christian  brethren  should  in  such 
circumstances,  forming  and  building  up  churches  in  accordance  with 
the  spirit  and  letter  of  their  instructions.  Churches  were  formed  so 
as  to  meet  the  views  of  those  who  became  members,  whether  Presby- 
terians or  Congregationalists ;  and  the  missionaries,  all  thinking  and 
speaking  the  same  thing  on  this  subject,  had  but  little  difficulty  in 
reconciling  those  who  might  previously  have  had  conflicting  views  and 
feelings  in  relation  to  church  government.  The  business  went  on 
because  there  was  a  mind  to  build,  and  not  to  contend.  At  that 
period,  that  is  about  the  year  1811-12,  the  Presbytery  of  Hartford 
(since  changed  to  Beaver)  covered  the  whole  territory  of  the  Western 
Reserve,  and  without  any  limits  to  its  western  and  northern  boundaries, 
except  the  British  dominions  and  the  Pacific  Ocean.  This  Presbytery 
belonged  to  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg,  and  most  of  the  ministers  on 
the  Reserve  had  become  members  of  the  Presbytery,  and  many  of  the 
churches,  both  Presbytei-ian  and  those  of  a  mixed  character,  were  also 
connected  with  the  same  body.  Some,  however,  remained  in  an 
isolated  position,  not  connected  by  any  specific  bond  of  union  with 
any  ecclesiastical  body." 

In  the  formation  of  churches,  as  also  afterward  of  Presby- 
teries, the   Plan  of  Union  was  not   always   adopted   strictly 


154  The   Plan    of    Union.' 

according  to  the  letter.  The  particular  circumstances  of  the 
individual  church  or  Presbytery  often  made  some  slight  modi- 
fication necessary ;  so  that  in  strictness  each  body  had  a  Plan, 
embodying  the  spirit  and  principles  of  the  Plan  recommended 
by  the  Assembly  and  Association,  in  its  own  specific  forms, 
and  adhering  as  nearly  as  possible  to  the  original  instrument. 
For  example,  the  Plan  of  Union  contemplates  the  existence  of 
Associations,  with  which  Congregational  ministers  may  be 
connected,  though  ministering  to  Presbyterian  churches.  Such 
Associations  did  not  exist  upon  the  Reserve,  and  the  Congre- 
gational ministers  generally  connected  themselves  with  the 
Presbyteries.  In  forming  this  connection  they  had  a  right  to 
expect  that  the  spirit  of  the  Plan  of  Union  would  be  exercised 
toward  them,  as  well  as  toward  the  Congregational  churches 
received  by  Presbytery.  From  this  resulted  the  fact  that 
Congregational  ministers,  bringing  '^ clean  papers"  from 
reputable  Eastern  Associations,  were  received  upon  their  appli- 
cation in  the  same  manner  that  members  from  one  Presbytery 
were  received  by  another. 

Hence  the  anomaly  of  Congregational  ministers  in  the  Pres- 
byteries who  never  formally  assented  to  the  polity  and  disci- 
pline of  the  Presbyterian  church ;  though  their  application  for 
admission  was  a  virtual  assent  to,  or  approval  of,  the  Presby- 
terian polity.  In  such  cases  it  was  understood  that  these  men 
retained  their  former  preferences,  but  as  matter  of  expediency, 
consulting  the  peace  of  the  church  and  their  own  usefulness, 
they  adopted  the  ecclesiasticism  found  here.  That  objection- 
able members  sometimes  came  in  under  this  practice,  can  not 
be  denied.     And  on  their  account  the  whole  body  sufibred. 


"  Ecclesiastical  Organizations.      155 

Such  was  the  material,  and  such  the  Plan  of  organization ; 
from  which  resulted  the  ecclesiasticism  of  the  Western  Re- 
serve. In  the  most  natural  manner,  and  under  the  influence 
of  a  piety  and  spirit  catholic  and  apostolical,  in  its  charity  and 
simplicity,  the  church  of  the  Reserve  grew  up  the  legitimate, 
healthy  daughter  of  a  legitimate  marriage,  openly  and  honor- 
ably solemnized,  by  qualified  and  capable  parties. 

If,  after  many  years,  schismatics  came  in  to  disturb  the 
peaceful  and  happy  family,  which  this  union  produced,  and 
awakened  jealousies,  strife,  and  partial  divorce,  they  only  did 
what  schismatics  and  disorganizers  have  ever  done,  in  like 
circumstances. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  CHURCHES. 

As  a  specimen  of  the  manner  of  organizing  churches  adopted 
by  the  early  missionaries,  and  of  the  constitutions  and  creeds 
upon  which  the  churches  were  based,  the  following  from  the 
records  of  the  Hudson  church,  organized  in  1802  by  Mr.  Bad- 
ger, is  here  subjoined.  Readers  are  aware  that,  in  the  words 
of  Rev.  J.  Seward,  ''from  time  immemorial  it  has  been  the 
practice  of  Congregational  churches,  as  it  has  also  of  many 
Presbyterian  churches,  to  have  a  brief  summary  of  Christian 
doctrine  and  practice,  to  which,  members  admitted  into  the 
church,  should  publicly  give  their  assent."  Such  was  the  use 
and  design  of  the  "Confession  of  Faith '^  adopted  by  the 
Churches  of  the  Reserve. 

A  somewhat  particular  account  of  the  Hudson  church  is 
here  introduced,  as  being  instructive,  in  a  historical  point  of 
view,  in  several  particulars. 


156  The    Plan    or    Union. 

FIRST    CONQREGATIONAL    CHURCH    IN    HUDSON  :    ORGANIZED 

SEPT.  4,  1802. 

"A  number  of  persons  in  this  town,  who  had^formerly  been  members 
of  churches,  part  in  Goshen,  Conn.,  and  part  in  Bloomfield,  N.  Y.,  met 
for  the  purpose  of  taking  some  regular  steps  toward  being  formed  into 
a  church.  Rev.  Joseph  Badger,  missionary  from  the  Missionary 
Society  of  Connecticut,  presiding  as  moderator,  opened  the  meeting 
with  prayer.  A  system  of  doctrines  was  then  attended  to,  with  a 
view  to  their  being  adopted  as  Articles  of  Faith. 

"Each  individual  having  given  his  particular  assent  to  the  said 
system  of  doctrines,  a  Covenant  was  read  and  considered,  which  being 
also  approved,  after  due  consideration,  there  was  an  examination  of 
each  person  respecting  the  ground  and  evidences  of  his  hope. 

* '  The  next  day,  after  a  due  and  solemn  consideration  of  the  duty  and 
importance  of  forming  a  church  in  this  place,  the  following  persons 
presented  themselves  to  be  constituted  a  church  of  Christ,  viz :  — 
Stephen  and  Mary  Thompson,  David  Hudson,  Abraham  and  Susannah 
Thompson,  Stephen  and  Abigail  Thompson,  George  and  Almira  Kil- 
bourne,  Heman  and  Eunice  Oviatt,  Amos  Lusk  and  Hannah  Lyndley, 
(the  two  latter  from  Bloomfield,  N.  Y. ;  the  rest  from  Goshen,  Conn.) 

"A  system  of  Faith  was  then  read,  to  which  they  gave  their  consent. 
They  were  then  led  to  the  solemn  adoption  of  a  Covenant,  in  which 
they  engaged  to  give  up  themselves  to  keep  and  walk  in  all  the  ordi- 
nances of  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  They  were  then  declared  to  be  a 
church  of  Christ,  commended  to  His  blessing,  and  charged  solemnly 
to  keep  covenant  and  walk  worthy  of  the  followers  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
the  Head  of  the  church." 

CONFESSION    OF   FAITH. 

You  believe  the  articles  of  the  Christian  religion  as  contained  in  the 
Holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  and  as  contained 
essentially  in  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 


Ecclesiastical  Organizations.      157 

America.  Particularly  you  believe  the  existence  of  one  living  and 
true  God,  self-existent,  infinite  in  power,  wisdom,  and  holiness  ;  exist- 
ing three  persons  in  one  God-head,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  the 
great  Creator,  Governor,  and  Redeemer  of  the  world. 

You  believe  that  God  made  man  in  His  own  moral  image,  consist- 
ing in  knowledge,  righteousness,  and  holiness.  But  that  man,  by  his 
disobedience,  has  fallen  from  that  holy  and  happy  state  and  now  is 
sunk  in  a  state  of  sin  and  misery,  out  of  which  he  can  not  recover 
himself,  and  in  which  he  might  have  been  justly  left  of  God  forever. 

You  believe  that  God,  out  of  His  mere  goodness,  has  opened  a  new 
way  of  life  to  a  fallen,  guilty  world,  by  the  mediation  of  His  Son 
Jesus  Christ,  as  revealed  to  us  in  the  Scriptures,  given  by  the  inspira- 
tion of  the  Holy  Spirit.  That  by  his  death  and  sufferings  He  has 
made  a  sufi&cient  atonement  for  sin,  thereby  honoring  the  law  of  God, 
and  opening  a  way  for  the  consistent  exercise  of  Divine  grace.  That 
all  are  invited,  through  Him,  to  trust  in  God  and  be  savad,  and  that 
there  is  no  salvation  in  any  other  way. 

You  believe  that,  notwithstanding  mankind  are  dead  in  trespasses 
and  sins,  and  by  nature  enemies  to  God,  yet  it  is  the  purpose  of  a  holy 
God,  according  to  the  eternal  election  of  grace,  of  His  sovereign 
unmerited  mercy  toward  mankind,  to  make  up  of  them  a  holy, 
heavenly  kingdom.  That  all  its  members  must  be  regenerated  by  the 
special  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  that  all  such  will  be  kept  by 
the  grace  of  God  unto  eternal  life. 

You  believe  that  a  Christian  chiirch  ought  to  be  composed  of  visible 
Christians  who,  by  a  profession  of  their  faith  in  Christ,  and  a  life 
agreeable  to  the  precepts  of  the  Gospel,  give  reasonable  evidence,  in 
the  judgment  of  charity  of  being  real  saints. 

You  believe  in  the  divine  appointment  of  church  oflScers,  the  ordi- 
nances of  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  the  Christian  Sabbath. 

You  believe  it  to  be  the  revealed  purpose  of  God  hereafter  to  raise 
His  church  from  its  present  depressed  state,  and  to  give  His  people 
rest  and  prosperity  for  a  thousand  years,  when  the  Jews  shall  own  the 
Messiah,  and  all  nations  shall  know  the  Lord. 


158  The   Plan  of    Union. 

>''  You  believe  that,  although  we  are  justified  by  faith,  and  saved  by  free 
grace,  yet  the  moral  law,  as  a  rule  of  life,  remains  in  full  force  to 
believers,  so  that  perfect  holiness  of  heart  and  life  is  their  duty  ;  nor 
doth  the  Gospel  of  free  grace  co\intenance  them  in  living  in  any  sin. 
You  believe  the  doctrine  of  the  general  resurrection  of  the  dead, 
and  the  judgment  of  the  world  by  Christ  Jesus,  who  will  revive  all 
true  believers  to  eternal  life,  while  the  wicked  and  impenitent  shall 
go  away  into  everlasting  punishment. 

The  above  remained  as  the  basis  of  the  Hudson  church  until 
1819,  when  the  church  adopted  the  Covenant  and  Articles  of 
Faith  and  of  Practice  recommended  by  Grand  River  Presby- 
tery.* The  Covenant  and  Articles  of  Practice  first  adopted 
differed  but  slightly  from  those  recommended  by  the  Presbytery. 

The  church  was  received  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery 
in  1815,  shortly  before  the  installation  of  Rev.  Wm.  Hanford 
as  its  Pastor. 

In  1826,  the  article  requiring  the  church  to  have  "  a  Stand- 
ing Committee,  chosen  from  among  their  numb('r,  consisting  of 
not  less  than  two  and  not  more  than  seven,  whose  duty  it  shall 
be  to  manage  the  prudential  concerns  of  the  church,"  was  by 
vote  of  the  church  erased  from  its  regulations.  In  1835,  the 
Presbytery  of  Portage  "Resolved,  that  the  request  of  the 
church  in  Hudson  be  granted,  and  the  relation  subsisting 
between  the  Presbytery  and  said  church  is,  at  their  repeated 
solicitation,  hereby  dissolved." 

Since  its  secession  from  the  Presbytery  the  church  has  been 
repeatedly  distracted,  and  at  one  time  rent  asunder. 

The  form,  of  the  particular  church  organized,  was,  of  course, 


*  See  Grand  Rivr  Presbytery. 


Ecclesiastical   Organizations.      159 

in  each  case,  somewhat  modified  by  the  ecclesiastical  prefer- 
ences of  the  minister  who  organized  it,  and  the  prevailing 
sentiment  of  the  majority  of  the  people.  Hence  some  were 
more  strictly  Presbyterial,  and  others  more  purely  Congrega- 
tional, in  polity. 

All  were  more  or  less  Republican  in  form,  and  could  easily 
come  into  the  Plan  of  Union,  by  slight  modifications. 

The  churches  formed  on  a  basis  similar  to  the  above, 
increased  in  strength  and  numbers,  enjoying  peace  and  the 
favor  of  God  and  man,  until  they  became  numerous  enough  to 
feel  the  need  of  ecclesiastical  bodies  of  their  own.  As  inti- 
mated above,  many  of  them  stood  as  yet  independent,  but  felt 
the  need  of  a  connecting  bond  between  themselves.  Others 
were  connected  with  the  Hartford  Presbytery. 


CHAPTER  II. 


ORaANIZATION  OF  PRESBYTERIES  AND  SYNOD. 

Says  the  Rev.  J.  Seward,  "About  the  year  1812  —  13, 
the  question  was  agitated  of  an  ecclesiastical  organization,  for 
the  Western  Reserve.  Some  of  the  churches  (church  mem- 
bers ?)  having  been  trained  up  in  the  School  of  Congregational- 
ism, were  desirous  of  having  an  Association  formed  on  strictly 
Congregational  principles.  But  the  Ministers,  most  of  whom 
were  still  missionaries,  felt  themselves  bound  by  their  instruc- 
tions to  endeavor  to  promote  harmony  between  Presbyterians 
and  Congregationalists ;  and  they  well  knew  that  the  formation 
of  a  Congregational  association,  instead  of  promoting  harmony, 
would  immediately  produce  discord,  and  separate  those  who  had 
hitherto  acted  in  concert,  and  would  in  some  instances  split  the 
feeble  churches  asunder. 

"  The  anxious  inquiry,  ^  what  shall  be  done  ? '  went  round, 
among  the  ministers  and  churches  on  the  Reserve ;  was  pro- 
pounded to  our  fathers  and  brethren  in  the  Presbytery  of 
Hartford,  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg,  the  general  Assembly,  and 

(160) 


Organization    op    Presbyteries.     161 

in  the  Congregational  Churches  of  New  England.  It  was  a 
subject  of  extensive  and  protracted  consultation.  After  much 
deliberation,  consultation,  and  prayer  for  divine  guidance,  it 
was  concluded  to  propose  the  organization  of  a  Presbytery  in 
accordance  with  the  principles  of  the  Plan  of  Union.  In  this 
proposition  it  was  contemplated  that  the  ministers  should  be 
subject  to  the  rules  and  discipline  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
without  exception ;  but  that  the  churches  should  enjoy  the 
immunities  guarantied  to  them  by  the  Plan  of  Union. 

Agreeably  to  this  conclusion,  the  Presbytery  of  Hartford, 
at  the  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg,  in  October  1814, 
presented  the  request,  that  the  Presbytery  might  be  divided, 
and  a  new  one  erected,  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Grand  River ;  to  include  the  whole  of  the  Western 
Reserve,  with  the  exception  of  churches  in  six  townships  in 
the  south-east  corner,  and  with  undefined  limits  on  the  west. 
At  the  time  the  Presbytery  of  Hartford  presented  this  re- 
quest, that  body  was  very  much  under  the  influence  of  the 
Rev.  Wm.  Wick,  of  Youngstown,  and  the  Rev.  T.  E.  Hughes, 
of  Greensburg ;  and  these  men  were  very  familiar  with  the 
churches  and  ministers  on  the  Reserve  at  that  time,  and  well 
understood  the  views  and  feelings  and  habits  that  were  then 
prevailing.  In  full  view  of  these  facts  and  circumstances,  they, 
with  their  brethren  asked  the  Synod  to  divide  the  Presbytery, 
with  the  explicit  understanding  that  the  new  Presbytery  was 
to  be  organized,  so  far  as  the  churches  were  concerned,  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  principles  of  the  Plan  of  Union. 

The  Synod  of  Pittsburg  in  compliance  with  this  request, 
directed  the  division  to  be  made,  and  ordered  the  new  Presby- 
14* 


162  The    Plan   of    Union. 

tery  to  meet  and  organize  at  Euclid,  in  the  month  of  Novem- 
ber, of  the  same  year/' 

As  the  organization  of  Grand  River  Presbytery  was  the  germ 
out  of  which  grew  the  entire  Presbyterial  ecclesiasticism  of  the 
Western  Reserve,  a  more  particular  account  of  the  circum- 
stances attending  it  may  be  interesting. 

Having  given  above  Mr.  Seward's  version  of  the  subject,  he 
being  of  Congregational  origin  and  preferences,  yet  a  friend 
and  supporter  of  the  Plan  of  Union,  I  will  also  introduce  an 
account  of  the  same  subject  extracted  from  the  autobiography 
of  Rev.  Thomas  Barr,  a  decided  Presbyterian.  Mr.  Barr, 
wrote  this  some  years  after  leaving  the  Reserve,  and  after 
having  been  employed  as  an  agent  of  the  Presbyterian  Mission- 
ary Society,  and  being  devotedly  attached  to  the  Old  School 
branch  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  The  reader  will  perceive 
that  he  had,  at  this  time,  little  sympathy  with  the  Plan  of 
Union,  and  little  patience  with  Congregationalism.  His  view 
may  serve  to  show  those  congregational  brethren  who  com- 
plain of  the  oppression  of  Presbyterianism,  that  complaints 
were  not  all  on  one  side.  When  discontent  and  jealousies  arise, 
those  who  have  least  reason  to  complain,  are  often  loudest  in 
their  outcries.     Mr  Barr  says. 

"  It  may  be  interesting  and  useful,  to  give  a  notcie  of  the  origin 
of  that  anomalous  part  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  the  Western 
Reserve  Synod.  It  sprang  from  the  Grand  River  Presbytery ;  and 
this  latter  was  the  result  of  much  curious  yet  serious  deliberation  and 
compromise.  The  compromise  was  indeed  mainly  at  the  expense  of 
Presbyterianism  ;  but  not  then  so  Tvell  seen  as  since.  The  Reserve 
was  mainly  settled  by  New  Englanders.     These,  so  far  as  they  were 


Organization    of    Presbyteries.     163 

professers  of  religion,  were  generally  Congregationalists,  especially  for 
the  first  foui'  or  five  years.  Wherever  these  formed  churches  they  did 
it  either  upon  pure  Congregational  principles,  or  what  was  called  the 
mixed  plan,  which  was  merely  a  slight  modification.  And  where  there 
were  no  real  Presbyteriayis  among  them,  as  was  the  case  in  nine  tenths, 
even  these  churches  were  governed  as  really  upon  Congregational 
principles  as  any  others.  The  truth  is  that  at  the  time  of  constituting 
the  Grand  River  Presbytery,  I  do  not  recollect  a  single  church  within 
its  limits,  that  was  truly  Presbyterian  and  so  governed,  except  the 
chui'ch  of  Euclid.  There  were  perhaps  one  or  two  others  organized 
with  elders,  but  in  such  a  manner  as  was  merely  nominal.  The  min- 
isters within  the  limits,  were  all  Congregationalists  by  education,  habit 
and  choice,  excepting  Mr.  Leslie  and  myself;  and  Mr.  Leslie  had  be- 
come so  enamored  of  Congregationalism  that  he  was  prepared  to  have 
given  up  Presbyterianism,  There  had  been  several  Installations  by 
ecclesiastical  counsels,  in  which  I  had  by  invitation  taken  part. 

"  It  was  at  the  installation  of  Mr.  Seward  in  Aurora,  that  the  first 
step  was  taken  toward  forming  an  ecclesiastical  body  distinct  from  the 
Hartford  Presbytery,  of  which  Mr.  Leslie  and  myself  were  members. 
We  were  both  present,  as  were  Messrs.  Cowles,  Badger  and  Seward, 
and  a  number  of  lay  delegates.  After  the  Installation  services,  the 
members  of  the  council  conferred  on  the  subject  of  forming  some  eccle- 
siastical association.  Mr.  Badger  and  Mr.  Leslie,  with  most  of  the 
delegates  were  at  once  for  forming  an  Association  on  pm'ely  Congre- 
gational principles,  to  be  wholly  disconnected  with  the  Presbyterian 
church,  excepting  by  friendly  correspondence.  They  anticipated  a  con- 
nection with  the  Congregationalists  at  Marietta  and  vicinity.  Upon 
hearing  these  proposals,  I  felt  somewhat  grieved  and  distressed.  I  had 
been  flattering  myself  that  all  these  good  brethern,  now  in  this  com- 
paratively remote  situation,  as  to  the  associations  of  New  England ; 
and  on  the  other  hand,  near  to  that  large  section  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod ;  would  feel 
disposed  to  fall  in  with  the  Presbyterian  forms  and  be  one  with  them. 
This  I  felt  then  entitled  to  hope  for  from  the  "  Plan  of  Union"  already 


164  TiijE    Plan    or    Union. 

adopted  with  an  imposing  aspect,  as  also  the  frequent  encomiums 
passed  by  intelligent  Congregationalists  upon  Presbyterianism.  I  was 
not  much  acquainted  with  modes  and  forms  of  chui'ch  government  and 
discipline,  still  I  was  so  decided  in  my  Presbyterian  preferences 
that  circumstanced  as  I  was,  I  had  no  thought  of  yielding  them.  I 
was  then  at  the  extreme  north-west  frontier.  If  these  hrethren  formed 
an  association  in  this  region,  it  would  separate  me  ecclesiastically  from 
them,  and  keep  me  an  isolated  Presbyterian,  connected  with  a  Presby- 
tery (and  to  remain  so),  to  none  of  whose  meetings  could  I  expect  to 
be  nearer  then  60  or  80  miles,  I  had  labored  in  these  churches,  scat- 
tered in  the  woods,  some  two  or  three  years,  in  concert  with  these  breth- 
ren, and  that  with  much  cordiality.  We  felt  as  brethren,  our  work 
was  one,  '  to  feed  the  flock  of  God.'  It  seemed  too  that  should  this 
proposed  measure  go  forward,  it  would  mar  the  glory  of  religion  in 
the  eyes  of  many,  and  blight  the  opening  prospects  of  halcyon  days 
just  rising  in  the  church. 

"It  was  owing  to  these  views  and  feelings  that  I  earnestly  opposed 
the  measure.  And  I  have  reason  to  believe  it  was  owing  to  my 
opposition  that  it  was  not  adopted  on  the  spot.  After  my  earnest  plea 
against  it,  Messrs  Cowles  and  Seward,  who  had  hitherto  said  but  little, 
seemed  to  demur,  1  believe  their  sympathies  for  my  situation  were 
awakened,  and  had  much  influence  upon  their  minds.  We  all  hesitated. 
Another  meeting,  and  afterwards  several  others  were  appointed,  to  de- 
liberate, bofore  we  came  to  any  conclusion." 

In  reading  this  account  we  cannot  help  reflecting  how  natu- 
ral it  would  have  been  for  Mr.  Barr  and  his  church,  finding 
themselves  alone  in  their  preferences,  to  have  yielded  to  the 
others,  and  assisted  to  organize  an  association.  But  this  seemed 
to  him  an  impossibility ;  and  the  rest,  with  their  missionary 
instructions  and  Plan  of  Union  before  them,  felt  bound  to  seek 
unity  and  strike  a  compromise.  Which,  with  true  christian 
magnanimity,  they  reluctantly  did.     Mr.  Barr  proceeds ; 


Organization   op    Presbyteries.      165 

"  At  last  something  was  shaped,  to  which  we  affixed  the  name  of 
"The  Consociated  Presbytery  of  New  Connecticut."  This  was  laid 
before  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg  for  their  sanction;  but  the  very  name 
gave  alarm,  if  not  ofifense  to  some.  On  this  account,  as  also  because 
its  features,  as  well  as  name,  were  quite  unpresbyterial,  as  was 
thought,  Synod  refused  to  recognize  such  a  thing.  The  matter  lay 
over  a  year  or  more.  After  more  conferences,  we  agreed,  on  certain 
conditions,  to  apply  to  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg,  to  be  set  off  from  the 
Hartford  Presbytery  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  the  Grand  River 
Presbytery.  In  our  conditions  of  compromise  amongst  ourselves,  there 
were  articles  of  faith  drawn  up  to  be  used  by  the  churches,  but  no 
distinct  recognition  of  the  Confession  of  Faith,  nor  of  the  forms  of 
government  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Ministers  were  to  be  answer- 
able to  Presbytery.  Calls  for  settlement  did  not  pass  through  the 
Presbytery  to  the  candidate,  but  were,  according  to  Congregational 
usage,  put  by  the  society  directly  into  the  hands  of  the  candidate, 
and  afterwards  submitted  to  Presbytery,  previous  to  ordination  or  in- 
stallation. While  I  resided  there,  no  minister  of  Congregational  origin 
was  asked  to  assent  to  the  formularies  of  our  Confession  of  Faith. 
The  churches  that  chose  to  connect  themselves  with  Presbytery  had 
the  privilege  of  representation  by  lay  delegates,  which  lay  delegates 
had  all  the  privileges  and  powers  of  an  Elder.  The  only  particular 
in  which  the  Presbytery  had  any  control  over  the  churches,  was  that 
they  were  not  to  put  a  call  into  the  hands  of  a  candidate  for  settle- 
ment unless  he  were  approved  in  some  way  by  the  Presbytery  ;  and 
in  cases  of  difficulty  where  the  church  could  not  decide,  instead  of 
referring  the  case  to  a  council,  the  Congregational  course,  it  must 
be  referred  to  the  Presbytery,  and  their  decision  be  final  and  au- 
thoritative (fui-ther  than  a  Presbytery  they  had  no  wish  to  go).  It 
was  with  great  difficulty  that  this  last  point  could  be  got  inserted  in 
the  condition.  I  thought  for  awhile  we  should  here  split.  At  last  it 
was  agreed  on,  but  on  account  of  this  article  the  church  in  Tallmadge, 
much  the  largest  then  on  the  Reserve,  refused  to  connect  with  the 
Presbytery  all  the  time  that  I  remained  in  that  region.     The  church 


166  The    Plan    of    Union. 

of  Hudson,  and  perhaps  some  otliers  upon  uniting,  reserved  the  right 
of  withdrawing  on  this  account,  if  they  should  afterwards  feel  dis- 
posed. Such  was  the  degree,  slight  indeed,  of  Presbytefianism 
engrafted  upon  the  Congregational  stock ;  with  the  delusive  hope  of 
myself  and  others,  that  by  and  by,  the  whole  would  become  a  real 
Presbyterian  tree,  bearing  fruit  accordingly.  In  this  I  was  miser- 
ably disappointed. 

"  It  may  seem  to  some,  perhaps,  that  I  assume  an  undue  importance 
to  my  own  particular  agency  in  bringing  about  this  arrangement. 
What  I  did  at  the  time,  I  did  in  the  simplicity  of  my  heart,  believ- 
ing that  I  was  doing  God's  service  ;  and  for  a  season  I  felt  pleased 
that  my  desires  so  far  had  succeeded.  But  my  self-gratulation  has  long 
since  changed  into  deep  regret,  and  shame,  for  my  almost  infatuated 
mistake.  I  only  remained  about  five  years  on  the  Reserve,  after  the 
Grand  River  Presbytery  was  formed,  but  in  this  space  of  time,  I  be- 
gan to  discover  that  name  things  as  you  will,  the  inherent  properties 
remain  the  same.  Congregationalism,  wrap  it  up  as  you  may,  is  Con- 
gregationalism still."  (Too  true,  of  that  and  every  other  ism,  as  bitter 
experience  has  often  proved  !)  "Not  that  I  intend  any  disparagement 
to  Congregationalism,  in  itself  considered ;  it  is  only  the  folly  and  ab- 
surdity of  attempting  to  make  real  Congregationalism  and  real  Pres- 
byterianism  coalesce  in  one  ecclesiastical  body,  so  as  to  move  harmo- 
niously, that  I  wish  to  expose." 

*'  Real  Presbjterianism  and  real  Congregationalism''  were 
not  sought  by  the  Plan  of  Union ;  but  such  a  modification  of 
each  as  should  produce  a  better  union,  in  which  each  should 
enjoy  its  own  essentials,  with  the  other's  benefits  and  coopera- 
tion. We  see  here  the  spirit  and  arguments  that  produced  the 
excision  of  '87.  Mr.  Barr  admits  that  the  arrangement 
was  made  with  the  most  fraternal  intentions,  and  disin- 
terested purpose,  bj  all  parties,  and  that,  '^  as  to  doctrine,  ther# 
was  with  us  hardly  a  perceptible  difference;"  which  he  proves 


Organization    of    Presbyteries.     167 

by  comparing  with  the  confession  of  Faith,  a  Summary  of 
Doctrine  published  by  the  Connecticut  Missionary  Society,  for 
the  use  of  the  new  settlements,  and  largely  distributed  on  the 
Reserve  by  the  Missionaries.  His  declaration  after  the  com- 
parison, is,  that  "  this  Summary  is  essentially  the  same  with 
that  in  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Catechisms."  And  still 
further,  he  acknowledges  that  under  the  arrangement  entered 
into,  *'  Congregationalism  and  Presbyterianism"  did  "  coalesce 
and  work  harmoniously  in  the  same  ecclesiastical  body"  so 
long  as  the  arrangement  was  let  alone,  and  sectarianism  was 
surpassed  by  christian  charity.     He  proceeds  : 

"With  so  near  an  agreement  (if  indeed  there  was  a  difference)  in 
doctrine,  and  acquiescence  on  both  sides  in  our  anomalous  Presbytery, 
we  moved  on  in  much  harmony.  And  I  would  here  bear  testimony  to 
the  piety,  knowledge,  zeal,  fidelity  and  other  excellent  qualities,  of 
my  early  Congregational  associates.  The  memory  of  many  seasons 
of  ministerial  and  Christian  fellowship  is  deeply  impressed  on  my  heart. 
We  labored  as  for  God,  to  turn  the  wilderness  into  a  fruitful  field.  0\\x 
labor  was  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  We  planted,  we  watered,  and  most 
of  those  brethren  lived  to  see  an  abundant  increase  given  of  God. 
Without  vanity,  or  injustice  to  others,  I  may  say  that  in  the  period  of 
our  Association  (previous  to  1820)  the  fferm  was  planted  of  what  has 
since  in  that  region  so  beautifully  and  usefully  expanded  itself  in 
moral,  religious,  and  literary  fruits. 

"  Yet,  notwithstanding  the  harmony  and  affectionate  regard  which 
subsisted  between  us,"  continues  Mr.  B.,  "as  their  members  were 
yearly  increasing  by  more  Congregational  ministers  coming,  while  I 
remained  the  only  real  Presbyterian,  I  could  not  but  perceive  with 
painful  regrets,  that  instead  of  approximating  more  nearly  to  Presby- 
terianism,  there  was  more  and  more  made  manifest  a  determination 
not  to  recede  any  further  from  Congregationalism.     This  being  the 


168  The    Plan    op    Union. 

case,  and  having  Btill  to  labor  much  as  a  missionary,  with  some 
discoiiragements  in  the  congregation,  all,  together,  influenced  me  to 
think  of  a  removal  to  a  different  section  of  the  country."  • 

The  sum  of  the  matter  is,  that  Mr.  B.  entered  the  Plan  of 
Union  or  Compromise,  not  as  a  finality,  but  hoping,  one  against 
many,  eventually  to  bring  pure  Presbyterianism  out  of  it.  In 
this,  of  course,  he  was  disappointed.  He  was  not  indeed  a 
man  for  compromises;  nor  could  he  be  easily  turned  from  any 
opinion  or  purpose.  Honoring  and  admiring  the  man,  we  can 
but  wish  that  his  denominationalism  had  been  cast  in  a  larger 
mold. 

The  question  is  naturally  suggested  here,  how  far  the  Synod 
of  Pittsburg  and  the  General  Assembly,  shared  the  experience 
and  disappointment  of  Mr.  Barr  ?  Could  such  disappontment 
have  had  anything  to  do  with  the  excision  that  followed  ? 

As  stated  above,  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg  granted  the  peti. 
tion  to  divide  the  Hartford  Presbytery,  and  appointed  a  meet- 
ing at  Euclid,  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  November,  1814. 
The  members  of  Hartford  Presbytery  set  oflF  to  constitute  the 
new  Presbytery,  were  Bev.  Messrs.  Joseph  Badger,  Giles  H. 
Cowles,  and  Thomas  Barr.  Mr.  Badger  was  appointed  to 
preach  at  the  opening  of  the  first  meeting,  and  preside  until  a 
moderator  should  be  chosen. 

From  the  records  of  that  meeting,  the  following  is  extracted  : 

Euclid,  November  8,  1814. 
Presbytery  of  Grand  River  met  according  to  appointment  of  Synod 
and  was  opened  with  prayer  by  the  Moderator. 
Present:  Rev.  Joseph  Badger,  Moderator. 
Rev.  Giles  H.  Cowlks, 


Organization    of    Presbyteries.     169 

Rev.  Thomas  Barr, 

Elder  J.  Reuble,  from  the  church  iu  Euclid, 

Deacon  M.  Cook,  from  the  church  iu  Burton. 

Rev.  Messrs.  Simeon  Woodruff  and  William  Hanford  being  present, 
^ere  invited  to  sit  as  corresponding  members. 

Rev.  J.  Badger  was  chosen  Moderator,  and  Rev.  G.  11.  Cowles 
Scribe. 

Mr.Cowles  being  in  a  feeble  state  of  health,  requested  an  Assistant 
Scribe,  which  was  granted,  and  Mr.  Hanford  was  appointed. 

Presbytery  proceeded  to  discuss  and  adopt  the  following  regulations 
and  by-laws : 

ARTICLES    FOR   REGULATION    OF    GRAND    RIVER   PRESBYTERY. 

Art.  1.  The  Presbyterj^  shall  meet  statedly  on  the  first  Tuesday  of 
February  and  on  the  fourth  Tuesday  of  August. 

2.  A  Moderator,  Scribe,  Register  and  Standing  Committee  shall  be 
chosen  annually  by  ballot,  who  shall  hold  their  offices  until  others  are 
chosen  to  supply  their  places. 

3.  The  moderator  may,  on  the  application  of  one  minister  or  of  one 
church,  call  a  special  meeting  of  the  Presbytery,  and  on  the  applica- 
tion of  two  ministers,  it  shall  be  his  duty  to  call  such  meeting,  speci- 
fying in  his  letters  of  notification  the  particular  business  for  which 
the  meeting  is  called,  and  no  business  but  what  is  thus  specified  shall 
be  finally  decided  at  said  meeting ;  and  when  such  special  meeting  is 
called,  on  the  application  of  any  church  or  individual,  that  church  or 
individual  shall  be  at  the  trouble  of  communicating  the  notification  to 
the  several  members  and  churches  of  the  Presbytery ;  and  this  notifi- 
cation shall  be  given  to  each  minister  and  church  at  least  ten  days 
before  the  time  appointed  for  such  meeting. 

4.  All  licensing  of  candidates,  ordinations,  installations  and  dismis- 
sions of  ministers  in  churches  belonging  to  this  body,  shall  be  by  this 
Presbytery. 

5.  The  standing  committee  shall  consist  of  five  ministers,  whose 


170  The    Plan    op    Union. 

duty  it  shall  be  to  examine  the  credentials  of  ministers  and  licentiates 
who  apply  for  the  approbation  of  this  Presbytery  during  its  recess ; 
and  on  receiving  satisfaction  respecting  their  qualification  to  preach 
the  Gospel,  shall,  by  certificate,  recommend  them  to  the  churches  ; 
which  recommendation  shall  extend  to  the  next  meeting  of  Pres- 
bytery. 

6.  No  church  belonging  to  this  body  shall  give  a  call  for  settlement 
to  any  candidate,  until  he  shall  have  been  approved  by  this  Presby- 
tery, or  by  one  or  more  of  their  standing  committee. 

7.  Every  church  belonging  to  this  Presbytery,  shall  be  represented 
at  the  meetings  of  the  Presbytery. 

8.  Individual  churches  or  members  belonging  to  this  Presbytery, 
may  adopt  either  the  Congregational  or  Presbyterian  mode  of  govern- 
ment and  discipline. 

9.  When  those  churches  which  adopt  the  Congregational  mode  of 
government  and  discipline,  have  decided  on  any  case  and  either  party 
is  aggrieved,  appeal  may  be  made  to  the  Presbytery,  and  their  deci- 
sion shall  be  final. 

(In  1817  this  article  was  amended  as  follows:)  —  When  those 
churches  which  adopt  the  Congregational  mode  of  government  and 
discipline,  have  decided  on  any  case,  and  either  part}'  is  aggrieved, 
appeal  may  be  made  to  Presbytery,  whose  authority  extends  only  to 
the  chm-ches  and  not  to  individual  members.  But  no  further  appeals 
shall  be  allowed. 

10.  When  any  minister  proposes  to  join  this  Presbytery,  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  Presbytery  to  satisfy  themselves  with  regard  to  his 
religious  sentiments  and  conduct,  and  admit  or  reject  as  they  shall 
deem  expedient;  the  Presbytery  shall  also  satisfy  themselves  with 
respect  to  the  religious  sentiments  and  Christian  practice  of  every 
church  before  its  admission  into  this  body. 

11.  At  each  meeting,  the  Presbytery  shall  attend  to  any  case  of 
importance  that  may  be  proposed  by  members  wanting  light  thereon. 
It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  each  minister  and  delegate,  at  the  annual 


Organization    op   Presbytehies.     171 

meeting  in  February,  to  give  an  account  of  the  state  of  religion  within 
the  respective  churches  which  they  represent ;  particularly  with  re- 
gard to  revivals  of  religion,  religious  instruction  of  children,  observ- 
ance of  the  Sabbath,  and  attendance  on  public  worship.  There  shall 
also  be  at  each  stated  meeting  one  exercise,  which  shall  be  subject  to 
the  friendly  remarks  of  the  Presbytery,  for  the  particular  benefit  of 
the  speaker,  who,  with  his  second,  shall  be  appointed  at  the  meeting 
next  preceding  that  at  which  he  is  to  preach.  Also,  at  each  stated 
meeting,  there  shall  be  one  or  more  theological  questions  or  passages 
of  Scripture  proposed  for  discussion  at  the  ensuing  meeting. 

12.  Every  Church,  at  the  annual  meeting  in  February,  shall  exhibit 
the  records  of  their  annual  proceedings  to  this  Presbytery,  for  exam- 
ination. 

13.  Every  meeting  of  the  Presb^^tery,  shall  be  opened  and  closed 
with  prayer. 

14.  At  every  meeting  of  Presbytery,  at  least  half  an  hour  shall  be 
set  apart  for  social  prayer  and  praise. 

15.  These  regulations  shall  be  read  at  each  annual  meeting. 

16.  Licentiates  belonging  to  the  Presbytery  shall  be  answerable  to 
the  Presbytery  for  their  preaching  and  moral  conduct. 

17.  When  a  licentiate  belonging  to  this  Presbytery  wishes  to  itin- 
erate without  the  bounds  of  this  Presbytery,  he  shall  apply  for  per- 
mission to  the  Presbytery,  or  in  its  recess  to  the  standing  committee  ; 
and  when  permission  shall  be  given,  it  shall  specify  the  time  of  ab- 
sence, and  be  signed  by  the  moderator,  or  by  two  of  the  standing 
committee,  who  shall  communicate  the  same  to  the  Register,  to  be  re- 
corded. 

18.  When  such  licentiate  shall  itinerate  within  the  limits  of  any 
other  Presbytery,  or  within  those  of  an  association,  he  shall  be  di- 
rected to  exhibit  his  credentials  to  them,  or  to  the  standing  committee, 
in  order  to  receive  a  letter  of  recommendation  to  the  churches  within 
their  limits. 

19.  Where  a  licentiate  belonging  to  this  Presbytery,  wishes  to  put 


172  The    Plan    or    Union. 

himself  under  the  care  of  another  Presbytery,  or  of  an  association, 
he  shall  apply  for  a  dismission^^from  this  body,  and^for  a  recommend- 
ation to  such  particular  Presbytery  or  association. 

20.  All  additions  to,  or  alterations  of,  these  regulations,  shall  be 
proposed  at  a  stated  meeting  at  least  four  months  before  such  addi- 
tions or  alterations  are  adopted  ;  and  they  shall  not  be  adopted  with- 
out the  concurrence  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted  : 

"Resolved,  That  delegates  from  churches,  who  wish  to  unite  with 
this  Presbytery,  be  requested  to  bring  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  said 
churches  to  the  next  stated  meeting." 

Churches  and  ministers  were  only  admitted  when  their 
creed  and  practice  appeared^to^be  sound/j 

Rev.^S.jWoodruiF  was  examined^and  admitted  to  member- 
ship at  this  meeting  of  Presbytery. ":.  We  shall^see  an  encour- 
aging growth  as  we  trace  the  history  of  this  infant  body. 

Burton,  Feb.  14th,  1815. 
The  Committee  appointed  by  the  last  Presbytery  to  draft  a  Confes- 
sion of  Faith,  reported.     The  Confession  which  they  reported,  after 
being  amended,  was  adopted  by  the  Presbytery. 

CONFESSION     OF     FAITH     FOR     THE     USE    OF     THE     CHURCHES 
BELONGING    TO^THIS    PRESBYTERY. 

1.  You  believe  in  one  God,  the  Creator,  Preserver  and  Governor  of 
the^Uuiverse ;  that  he  is  a  Being  of  infinite  wisdom,  power,  justice, 
holiness  and  truth,  the  self-existent,  independent,  goodness  and  un- 
changeable fountain  of  all  good. 

2.  You  believe  that  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments 
were  given  by  inspiration  of  God ;  that  they  contain  a  complete  and 
harmonious  system  of  ^divine  truth,  and  are  the  only  rule  of  religious 
faith  and  practice. 


Organization    of    Presbyteries.     173 

3.  You  believe  that  there  are  three  persons  in  the  Godhead,  the 
Fatlier,  the  Sou  and  the  Holy  Ghost ;  that  these  three  are  in  essence 
one,  and  in  all  divine  attributes  equal. 

4.  You  believe  that  God  governs  all  things  according  to  his  eternal 
and  infinitely  wise  purpose,  so  as  to  render  them  conducive  to  his  own 
glory  and  the  greatest  good  of  the  universe  ;  and  in  such  a  manner  as 
not  to  diminish  his  hatred  of  sin,  the  liberty  of  man,  or  the  import- 
ance of  the  use  of  means. 

5.  You  believe  that  God  at  first  created  man  in  his  own  moral  im- 
age, consisting  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness  ;  that  being  left  to 
the  freedom  of  his  own  will,  he  fell  from  that  holy  and  happy  state, 
by  sinning  against  God  ;  that  since  the  fall  of  Adam,  all  mankind  come 
into  the  world  destitute  of  holiness. 

6.  You  believe  that  in  reference  to  the  fall  of  man,  God  did  from 
eternity  appoint  his  only  and  well  beloved  Son,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
to  make  atonement  for  sin,  and  thus  provide  for  the  consistent  be- 
stowraent  of  pardon  on  all  those  that  repent  and  believe  the  Gospel  ; 
you  believe  that  as  all  men  in  their  natural  condition  reject  Christ, 
God,  therefore,  did  from  eternity  choose  some  of  the  human  race  to 
salvation,  through  sanctification  of  the  Spirit  and  belief  of  the  truth; 
and  that  all  those  whom  he  has  thus  chosen,  he  will  renew  and  sanc- 
tify in  this  life,  and  keep  them  by  his  poAver  through  faith  unto  sal- 
vation. 

7.  You  believe  that  Christians  are  justified  freely  by  grace  through 
faith  in  Christ;  and  that  though  they  are  thus  freely  justified,  still 
the  Law  of  God  as  a  rule  of  duty,  remains  in  full  force,  and  they 
are  under  obligation  perfectly  to  obey  it. 

8.  You  believe  that  personal  holiness  is  a  certain  effect  of  the  re- 
newing operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  affords  the  consciences  of 
believers  the  only  scriptural  evidence  of  their  justification  and  title  to 
a  heavenly  inheritance. 

9.  You  believe  that  all  arc  under  solemn  obligations  to  repent  and 

15* 


174  The    Plan    of    Union. 

believe,  and  that  therefore  every  sinner  is  inexcusable  for  impenitence 
and  unbelief. 

10.  You  believe  that  the  visible  Church  of  Christ  consists  of  visible 
saints  who  publicly  profess  their  faith  in  him  ;  and  that  baptised  chil- 
dren so  belong  to  the  church  as  to  be  under  its  care,  instruction  and 
government. 

11.  You  believe  in  the  divine  appointment  of  the  Christian  Sabbath, 
and  of  the  Sacraments  of  the  New  Testament,  Baptism  and  the  Lord's 
Supper,  which  Christians  aie  under  solemn  obligations  duly  to  ob- 
serve ;  and  that  believing  parents  are  bound  to  dedicate  their  chil- 
dren to  God  in  Baptism,  and  to  train  them  up  in  the  nurture  and 
admonition  of  the  Lord. 

12.  You  believe  that  the  soul  is  immortal,  and  that  at  the  last  day 
Christ  will  raise  the  dead  and  judge  the  world  in  righteousness ;  that 
all  the  finally  impenitent  will  go  away  into  endless  punishment,  and 
the  righteous  be  received  to  heaven  to  enjoy  eternal  felicity. 

COVENANT  FOR  THE  CHURCHES  BELONGING  TO  GRAND  RIVER 
PRESBYTERY. 

You,  viewing  yourselves  subjects  of  special  divine  grace,  do  now  in 
the  presence  of  God,  angels  and  men,  renounce  the  service  of  sin,  and 
avouch  the  Lord  Jehovah  to  be  your  God  and  eternal  portion,  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  be  your  only  Saviour,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  to  be 
your  Sanctifier  and  Comforter. 

You  promise  to  take  God's  holy  Word  for  your  directory,  and  by 
divine  assistance  to  comply  with  all  its  injunctions.  You  solemnly 
engage  duly  to  regard  all  the  instituted  ordinances  of  the  Gospel. 
You  promise  daily  to  attend  secret  prayer ;  statedly  to  attend  on  the 
Lord's  Supper ;  to  observe  the  first  day  of  the  week  as  the  Christian 
Sabbath ;  not  to  allow  yourselves  to  be  employed  on  that  day  in  un- 
necessary worldly  business  or  conversation,  but  to  devote  your  time  to 
the  public  and  private  exercises  of  religion,  to  the  perusal  of  the  Bible 
and  such  other  books  as  are  calculated  to  promote  spiritual  improve- 


Organization    of    Presbyteries.     175 

ment.  You,  iff-ho  are  heads  of  families,  promise  daily  to  maintain  fam- 
Uy  religion,  by  prayer  and  reading  the  Word  of  God ;  seasonably  to 
dedicate  j'our  children  to  God  in  Baptism,  to  educate,  govern  and  re- 
strain from  vicious  practices  and  company  all  under  your  care. 

You  severally  promise  to  refrain  from  unnecessarily  mingling  in  the 
society  of  the  vicious  and  from  vain  conversation  ;  and  finally  to 
watch  over  your  brethren  in  the  church,  and,  if  necessary,  to  reprove 
them  with  Christian  meekness ;  to  submit  yourselves  to  the  watch  and 
and  discipline  of  this  church,  endeavoring  in  all  things  to  promote  its 
spiritual  interest ;  and  to  walk  worthy  of  the  vocation  wherewith  you 
are  called,  so  as  to  give  no  just  occasion  of  offense  to  any. 

Of  course  the  above  Confession  and  Covenant  were  only  re- 
commended to  the  churches  for  their  use;  but  the  recommend- 
ation was  generally  complied  with,  and  hence  these  may  be 
taken  as  a  fair  specimen  of  the  earlier  creeds  and  covenants 
of  the  churches  on  the  Reserve. 

ARTICLES  FOR  THE  REGULATION  OF  CHURCHES  BELONGING 
TO  GRAND  RIVER  PRESBYTERY. 
Art.  1.  This  Church  adopt  the  regulations  proposed  by  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  America,  and  approved  by 
the  General  Association  of  Connecticut,  June  16,  1801,  for  the  promo- 
tion of  union  and  harmony  among  the  churches  in  new  settlements. 

2.  (For  Congregational  Churches.)  This  church  shall  have  a  stand- 
ing committee  chosen  from  their  members,  consisting  of  not  less  than 
two  and  not  more  than  seven,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  take  cogni- 
zance of  the  disorderly  conduct  of  members,  and  to  labor  to  promote 
the  spiritual  interests  of  the  church. 

3.  All  persons  applying  for  admission  to  this  church,  either  by  let- 
ter or  otherwise,  shall  be  examined  by  the  officers  of  the  church,  all 
the  members  of  which  shall  consider  it  their  duty  to  attend,  and  to 
ask  such  questions  as  they  think  necessary.     If  candidates  give  sat- 


176  The   Plan    op    Union. 

isfactory  evidence  to  the  church  of  their  Christian  character,  they 
shall  in  ordinary  cases  be  publicly  propounded  two  weeks  before  their 
admission. 

4.  This  church  consider  it  to  be  their  duty  not  to  admit  members  of 
distant  churches  residing  in  this  vicinity  to  occasional  communion,  in 
ordinary  cases,  for  a  longer  period  than  one  year. 

6.  This  church  consider  it  the  duty  of  male  heads  of  families,  and, 
when  circumstances  do  not  forbid,  of  those  who  are  females,  daily  to 
read  the  Scriptures  and  pray  in  their  families.  They  also  recommend 
t  to  all  heads  of  families,  that  singing  praises  to  God  be  considered 
as  a  part  of  family  worship. 

6.  This  church  consider  it  an  important  duty  that  heads  of  families 
instruct  and  govern  their  children,  and  all  under  their  care,  agreea- 
bly to  the  Word  of  God,  endeavoring  to  restrain  them  from  evil  prac- 
tices and  from  vicious  company  ;  and  directing  them  by  parental  au- 
thority to  attend  catechetical  lectures  appointed  by  the  pastor  or 
church  whenever  circumstances  will  permit. 

7.  This  church  consider  it  their  duty  to  pay  special  attention  to 
their  baptized  children  ;  and  that  parents  and  others  who  are  mem- 
bers of  this  church,  having  the  more  immediate  care  of  such  children, 
shall  be  accountable  to  the  chm'ch  for  their  religious  instruction  and 
government,  so  long  as  they  continue  members  of  their  families 

for  any  evident  neglect  of  religious  instruction  or  government,  shall 
be  as  liable  to  discipline  as  for  any  other  offense  whatever. 

8.  This  chui-ch  consider  the  collecting  of  hay  or  grain  on  the  Sab- 
bath, attending  to  any  part  of  the  business  of  making  sugar,  the  vis- 
iting of  friends  except  in  cases  of  sickness,  and  the  prosecution  of 
j  ournej^s  on  that  day,  without  special  necessity,  a  violation  of  Chris- 
tian duty. 

EXTRACTS  FROM  THE  MINUTES  OF  GRAND  RIVER  PRESBYTERY. 

A  few  pages  of  extracts  from  the  minutes  of  tbe  Presbjtery, 
may  serve  to  exhibit  its  practical  workings,   for  a  few  years. 


Organization    of    Presbyteriek.     177 

The  first  report  of  the  new  Presbytery,  to  the  General  Aewin- 
bly,  was  exhibited  May  1815. 

They  reported  that  they  consisted  of  seven  members  and  had  under 
their  care  eight  congregations.  The  ministers  were  Messrs.  Badger, 
Cowles,  Barr,  Seward,  Coe,  Woodruff  and  Hanford. 

CuuRCHES  —  Austinburg  and  Morgan,  Euclid,  Aurora,  Hudson, 
Mantua,  Nelson,  Burton,  and  Rootstown.  Mr.  Coe  preached  at  Ver- 
non, Hartford  and  Kinsman,  and  Mr.  Woodruff  at  Talmadge,  to 
churches  not  then  connected  -with  Presbytery.  The  membership  of 
the  cliurches  at  this  time,  connected  with  Presbytery,  numbered  239  ; 
the  baptisms  for  the  year  were  44  infants. 

The  next  year.  May,  1816,  the  Presbytery  reported  to  the  General 
Assembly :  that  they  consisted  of  9  members,  and  had  under  their 
care  15  congregations.  The  ministers  added  were  Rev.  Messrs,  Leslie 
and  Humphrey.  Alvan  Coe  was  taken  under  the  care  of  Presbytery, 
as  a  candidate  for  the  ministry.  The  added  churches  were  Harpers- 
field,  Talmadge,  Vernon,  Sharon,  Painesville,  Hamden,  Greene  and 
Johnston  ;  communicants,  395  ;  baptisms,  4  adults,  91  infants.  Dur- 
ing the  year,  the  Presbytery  had  installed  Rev.  Mr.  Hanford,  at  Hud- 
son, and  Rev.  Mr.  Humphrey,  at  Burton. 

June  11,  1816.  In  view  of  the  great  dearth  both  in  temporal  and 
spiritual  things,  the  Presbytery  appointed  a  day  of  fasting,  humilia- 
tion and  prayer. 

At  the  same  meeting,  dissertations  were  read  on  the  following  ques- 
tions :  —  First,  Is  it  sinful  to  attend  balls  ?  Second,  Ought  professors 
of  religion  to  be  disciplined  for  attending  balls  ?  Third,  Ought  pro- 
fessors of  religion  to  be  disciplined  for  allowing  their  children  to  at- 
tend balls  ?  Presbytery  decided  the  questions  in  the  affirmative ;  the 
first  two  unanimously,  and  the  last  by  a  large  majorit3\ 

The  question.  Is  it  the  duty  of  a  church  to  call  to  account  commu- 
nicants, who  absent  themselves  from  the  communion  when  able  to  at- 
tend ?  was  discussed  and  decided  in  the  affirmative. 


178  The  Plan  OF  Union. 

At  almost  all  the  meetings  of  Presbytery,  dissertations  were  read, 
by  previous  appointment,  on  topics  of  doctrinal  or  practical  interest ; 
c.  g.,  in  addition  to  the  above,  the  following  questions  were  written 
upon  :  — What  is  the  true  ground  of  a  sinner's  obligation  to  repent  ? 
In  what  relation  do  baptized  ehildren  stand  to  the  church  ?  What 
was  the  covenant  of  which  circumcision  was  the  seal  ?  Can  a  Chris- 
tian consistently  marry  a  person  openly  vicious  ? 

August  22,  1816.  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  all  the 
ministers  and  churches  belonging  to  this  body,  to  call  their  baptized 
childi'en  together  for  special  instruction  and  prayer,  at  least  as  often 
as  a  lecture  preparatory  to  the  Lord's  Supper  shall  be  delivered. 

February  12,  1817.  Resolved,  to  take  measures  to  form  a  Society 
for  the  education  of  indigent,  pious,  young  men  for  the  ministry,  with- 
in the  limits  of  this  Presbytery,  and  that  a  committee  be  appointed  to 
report  on  the  subject.  Rev.  Messrs.  Cowles  and  Pitkin  and  Deacon  S. 
Mills,  were  appointed.  The  committee  reported  favorably,  and  a  con- 
stitution drawn  up  by  them  was  adopted. 

May,  1817.  The  Presbytery  report  that  they  consist  of  nine  mem- 
bers and  twenty  congregations,  and  one  licentiate.  Rev.  A.  Coe. 

The  new  chui'ches  were,  Williamsfield,  Dover,  Madison,  Kingsville 
and  Ashtabula,  Brecksville  and  Braceville.  Thirteen  out  of  the  20 
were  reported  vacant. 

The  membership  now  numbered  599 ;  baptisms  for  the  year,  adults, 
35 ;  infants,  160. 

Burton,  June  10,  1817.  Rev.  Alvan  Coe  was  ordained  an  evangel- 
ist. Mr.  Coe  was  appointed  to  labor  as  a  missionary  west  of  the 
Cuyahoga. 

September  24,  1817.  Presbytery  met  and  installed  Rev.  J.  Treat 
as  pastor  of  the  church  in  Sharon. 

July  6,  1818.  Installed  Rev.  Amasa  Loomis  Pastor  over  the  church 
in  Painesville. 


Oroanizatton    of    Presbyteries.     179 

rourth  report  of  grand  river  rresbytery,  to  general 
assembly,  may,  1818. 

Presbytery  consist  of  twelve  members  and  twenty-five  congrega- 
tions. Ministers  added  hist  year,  Rev.  Messrs.  Pitkin,  Treat,  and  A  . 
Coe.  Churches  added,  Bristol  and  Bloomfield,  Streetsborough,  Stowe 
and  Harrisville,  and  Number  5,  14th  Range.     Members,  652. 

August  18,  1818.  Voted  to  request  the  Synod  of  Pittsburgh  to 
annex  to  this  Presbytery  the  townships  Nos.  3  and  4,  in  the  several 
Ranges  in  the  county  of  Trumbull,  which  are  now  included  within  the 
limits  of  the  Hartford  Presbytery. 

The  Presbjtcry  frequently  acknowledges  the  receipt  of  small 
sums  of  money  from  the  ''Female  Charitable  Societies''  in 
Euclid,  Aurora,  and  other  places,  for  educational  and  mission- 
ary purposes. 

August  19,  1818.  Voted  to  request  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg  to  set 
off  that  part  of  Grand  River  Presbytery  which  lies  west  of  the  east 
line  of  Portage  and  Cuyahoga  counties  into  a  new  Presbytery. 

The  Presbytery  of  Portage  was  constituted,  in  accordance 
with  the  above  request,  by  an  act  of  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg, 
October  7,  1818.  The  first  meeting  was  held  at  Hudson, 
December  8,  1818.  The  constitution  and  regulations  of  this 
Presbytery,  and  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Covenant  recom- 
mended to  the  churches  connected  with  it,  do  not  diiBfer  mate- 
rially from  those  of  the  Grand  River  Presbytery,  and  therefore 
need  not  be  here  inserted. 

At  their  first  meeting,  the  Portage  Presbytery  fbrnKMl  a  Do- 
mestic Missionary  Soeieiy  for  tlieir  own  bounds,  which  was 
instrumental  in  the  settlement  of  several  ministers  within  the 


180  The    Plan    of    Union- 

limits  of  the  Presbytery  (the  Presbytery  at  this  time  extend- 
ing to  the  west  line  of  the  Reserve). 

An  Education  Society  was  also  formed  at  the  first  meeting 
of  the  Presbytery,  which  was  instrumental  in  aiding  several 
young  men  in  their  preparation  for  the  ministry,  of  whom 
President  Sturtevant,  of  Illinois  College,  is  one. 

PRESBYTERY   OF   HURON. 

The  Huron  Presbytery  was  organized  upon  a  basis  similar 
to  that  of  the  others,  in  1823.  The  following  extracts  are 
taken  from  the  Constitution  of  this  Presbytery  : 

Art.  4.  The  licensing  of  candidates,  the  ordination  and  installation 
of  ministers  over,  and  dismissing  them  from,  churches  belonging  to 
this  body,  shall  be  by  the  Presbytery. 

5.  The  standing  committee  shall  consist  of  not  less  than  two,  nor 
more  than  six  ministers,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  examine  the  cre- 
dentials of  ministers  and  licentiates  who  shall  apply  for  the  approba- 
tion of  this  Presbytery  during  its  recess  ;  and  on  receiving  satisfac- 
tion respecting  their  qualifications  to  preach  the  Gospel,  they  shall 
recommend  them  to  the  churches,  which  recommendation  shall  extend 
to  the  next  stated  meeting  of  the  Presbytery.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  standing  committee  to  give  permission  to  candidates  wishing  to 
itinerate  beyond  the  bounds  of  the  Presbytery,  &c. 

6.  Licentiates  under  the  care  of  this  Presbytery  shall  be  amenable 
to  it  for  their  preaching  and  moral  conduct. 

10.  When  any  minister  proposes  to  join  this  Presbytery,  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  Presbytery,  to  satisfy  themselves  respecting  his  reli- 
gious sentiments  and  conduct,  and  admit  or  reject,  as  they  shall  deem 
expedient.  The  Presbytery  shall  also  satisfy  themselves  respecting 
the  religious  sentiments  and  Christian  practice  of  any  church,  before 
admitting  it  into  this  body. 


Organization    of    Presbyteries.     181 

11.  Ministers  belonging  to  this  body,  when  called  upon  to  organize 
a  church,  shall  deem  it  their  duty  to  instruct  those  "who  are  wishing 
to  be  organized  into  a  church,  respecting  the  regulations  of  this  body, 
and  the  importance  of  churches  being  connected  with  some  ecclesias- 
tical body  ;  and  when  ohurches  shall  be  formed  by  such  ministers 
within  the  limits  of  this  Presbytery,  such  churches  shall  be  consid- 
ered as  under  the  care  of  this  body. 

12.  Individual  ministers  or  churches  belonging  to  this  Presbytery, 
may  adopt  either  the  Congregational  mode  of  government  and  disci 
pline,  or  the  Presbyterian. 

13.  When  those  churches  which  adopt  the  Congregational  mode  of 
government  and  discipline,  have  decided  a  case,  and  either  party  is 
aggrieved,  appeal  may  be  made  to  the  Presbytery,  whose  authority 
extends  only  to  the  churches  and  not  to  the  individual  members  ;  but 
the  appeal  may  not  be  carried  to  the  General  Assembly  or  Synod. 

14.  This  Presbytery  shall  be  the  standing  council  of  the  churches 
tinder  their  care,  to  whom  all  cases  of  difficulty,  in  which  counsel  or 
advice  is  desired,  shall  be  referred ;  unless  permission  be  obtained 
from  the  Presbytery  to  call  a  select  council. 

15.  In  all  cases  of  trial,  the  evidence  on  both  sides  shall  be  fairly 
taken  and  recorded  by  the  judicatory,  and  in  cases  of  appeal  this  er- 
idence  shall  be  presented  to  the  superior  judicatory  as  the  ground  of 
decision. 

16.  No  church  belonging  to  this  body  shall  give  a  call  for  settle- 
ment to  any  candidate  or  minister,  until  he  shall  have  been  approved 
by  the  Presbytery,  or  two  of  the  standing  committee.  Nor  shall  the 
Presbytery  ordain  a  candidate  until  he  shall  have  put  himself  under 
^heir  care  ;   nor  install  a  minister  until  he  shall  have  joined  this  body. 

17.  Every  church  belonging  to  this  Presbytery,  shall  be  represented 
at  the  meetings  of  the  Presbytery  by  one  delegate. 

19.  Each  church  shall  at  the  stated  meeting  in  April,  exhibit  their 
records  to  the  Presbytery  for  examination. 
16 


182  The    Plan    of    Union. 

22.  These  regalations  shall  be  read  to  the  Presbytery  annually  at 
the  sessions  in  which  the  officers  are  chosen. 

23.  (Provides  for  altering  the  constitution  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds, 
after  four  months  notice.)  But  the  twelfth  article  shall  never  be  af- 
fected by  any  additions  or  alterations  which  these  regulations  may 
receive. 

SYNOD   OF    THE   WESTERN   RESERVE. 

In  May,  1825,  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  "  after  hearing  the  papers  relating  to  the  erection  of 
a  new  Synod,''  and  duly  considering  the  subject, 

Resolved,  That  the  Presbyteries  of  Grand  River,  Portage  and  Hu- 
ron, be,  and  they  hereby  are  detached  from  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg, 
and  constituted  a  new  Synod,  to  be  designated  by  the  name  of  Synod 
of  the  Western  Reserve ;  that  they  hold  their  first  meeting  at  Hudson, 
on  the  fourth  Tuesday  of  September  next,  at  11  o'clock  A.  M. ;  and 
that  the  Rev.  Joseph  Badger  preach  the  Synodical  sermon  and  act  as 
Moderator,  till  another  be  chosen ;  or  in  case  of  his  failure,  then  the 
oldest  minister  present  shall  officiate  in  his  place. 

Sept.  25th,  1825.  The  Synod  of  the  Western  Reserve,  agreeably  to 
appointment  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States,  met  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Hudson,  at  11 
o'clock,  and  was  opened  by  the  Rev.  J.  Badger,  with  a  sermon  on 
2  Cor.  iv:  5 — "We  preach  not  ourselves,  but  Christ  Jesus,  the  Lord." 

After  prayer  the  following  persons  were  recognized  as  members  of 
the  Synod,  viz : 

FROM   THE   PRESBYTERY   OF   GRAND   RIVER. 

Ministers  —  Rev.  J.  Badger,  G.  H.  Cowles,  D.  D.,  E.  T.  Woodruff, 
N.  B.L arrow,  J.  Leslie,  H.  Coe,  L.Humphrey,  J.  W.  Curtis,  R.  Stone, 
U.  Palmer,  P.  Pratt. 

Elders  and  Members  of  the  Standing  Committee  —  A.  Griswold, 
L.  Tomlinson,  J.  M.  Martin,  S.  Witter,  S.  Atkins,  .F.  Proctor,  R.  Bee- 
man. 


Organization    op    Presbyteries.      183 
from  the  presbytery  of  i'ortage. 

Ministers  —  llev.  R.  J.  Keys,  C.  Pitkin,  J.  Seward,  AV.  Hanford, 
J.  Treat,  C.  B.  Storrs,  J.  Merriam. 

Eldeks,  &c.  —  O.  Norton,  B.  Spencer,  G.  Kilbourne,  T.  Conant, 
W.  Dickinson,  D.  Williams,  A.  North,  E.  Bostwick. 

FROM   THE    PRESBYTERY   OF   HURON. 

Ministers  —  Rev.  S.  Woodruff,  J.  Shailer,  L.  B.  Sullivan,  S.  S. 
Bradstreet,  D.  W.  Latbrop. 

Elders,  &c.  — S.  Bixley,  J.  D.  Crocker. 

Absent  from  the  Grand  River  Presbytery  —  Revs.  A,  Jones,  W.  L. 
Strong,  G.  Sheldon,  A.  Morse,  J.  Winchester,  D.  Miller. 

From  the  Presbytery  of  Portage — Revs.  J.  Field,  B.  Fenn. 

From  the  Presbytery  of  Huron  —  Revs.  A.  Coe,  A.  H.  Betts,  J.  Mer- 
cer, E.  Congar. 

Rev.  G.  H.  Cowles,  D.  D.,  was  chosen  Moderator ;  Rev,  W.  Han- 
ford, Stated  Clerk  ;  Rev.  J.  Treat,  Permanent  Clerk ;  Rev.  S.  Brad- 
street,  Temporary  Clerk. 

The  Presbytery  of  Grand  River  reported  that  they  consisted  of  fif- 
teen members,  and  had  under  their  care  thirty-six  congregations,  and 
two  licentiates,  viz:  D.  Miller  and  J.  Pepoon.  Of  the  fifteen  minis- 
ters, eight  were  settled  pastors.  The  membership  of  the  churches  in 
Grand  River  Presbytery,  numbered  at  that  time  thirteen  hundred  and 
thirty  seven. 

The  Presbytery  of  Portage  consisted  of  nine  ministers  and  twenty 
congregations.  Seven  of  its  ministers  were  pastors.  Membership, 
seven  hundred  and  forty-three. 

Presbytery  of  Huron  numbered  nine  ministers  and  twenty-nine 
congregations ;  five  of  the  ministers  pastors  ;  membership  of  the 
churches,  six  hundred  and  five. 

Thus  was  completed  the  organization  of  the  Presbyterial  Ee- 
clesiasticism  of  the  Western  Reserve.     And  here  was  offered 


184  The    Plan    of    Union. 

the  gratifying  spectaele  of  a  vigorous,  harmonious  Synod,  built 
up,  from  the  very  first,  upon  the  Plan  of  Union.  As  a  Synod, 
it  was,  what  it  ever  continued  to  be,  Calvanistic  in  doctrine,  or- 
derly in  its  polity  and  practice,  devout  in  spirit,  and  efficient 
in  laboring  for  all  the  higher  interests  of  the  Kingdom  of 
Christ  on  earth. 

Seldom,  if  ever,  were  the  majority  of  churches  and  minis- 
ters united  in  one  body,  more  contented  and  gratified  with 
their  institutions,  or  more  attached  to  each  other,  than  were 
these,  during  several  years  after  the  organization  of  the  Synod. 

It  was  not  discovered  by  the  better  portion  of  the  ministers 
and  churches  embraced  in  the  Synod,  that  either  Presbyterians 
or  Congregationalists  had  surrendered  aught  that  was  vital  and 
valuable  in  their  respective  systems ;  or  that  either  was  dis- 
posed to  make  a  gain  of  the  other. 

A  few  jealous  persons  and  restless  agitators  there  were,  who 
at  times  expressed  dissatisfaction  with  the  Union ;  but  happily, 
for  many  years,  they  were  few,  and  not  zealous  or-  influential 
enough  to  breed  a  schism. 

Of  the  healthy,  constant  and  rapid  growth  of  the  Synod  and 
Presbyteries,  we  need  not  delay  to  speak  at  length. 

The  Table,  prepared  in  1836,  by  Rev.  A.  R.  Clarke, 
shows  the  great  increase  of  churches  and  ministers  up  to  that 
date. 

Had  the  entire  Presbyterian  and  Congregational  interests  of 
the  Reserve  continued  until  the  present  time,  to  prosper,  as 
they  did  up  to  about  the  year  1836,  the  happy  consequences 
would  have  been  perhaps  too  gratifying. 

But  "  it  must  needs  be  that  ofl"enses  come '';  and  come  they 


Organization    op    Presbyteries.    185 

did.  "VYe  will  not,  however,  add  the  other  clause  of  the  Sa- 
viour's remark  ;  to  him  belongs  judgment  and  recompense. 
Suffice  it  to  say,  that  for  the  churches  and  ecclesiastial  bodies 
of  the  Reserve,  troubles,  agitations  and  perils  were  in  store, 
above  what  fall  to  the  lot  of  most  sections  of  the  church,  at 
the  present  day.  The  beginnings  of  these  things  must  next 
engage  our  attention. 

As  we  advance,  the  reader  will  perceive,  that  dissatisfaction 
at  length  arose  on  both  sides,  and  that  the  Synod  has  for 
many  years  been  situated  between  two  hostile  forces,  each  in- 
tent upon  its  demolition.  If,  under  these  circumstances,  it 
has  not  always  enjoyed  an  enviable  reputation,  who  can  won- 
der ?  That,  amid  all  its  trials,  it  has  carried  itself  commend- 
ably,  and  preserved,  in  the  main,  an  orderly  and  Christly 
spirit,  only  its  enemies  will  deny.  And  it  is  probable  that 
it  has  been  as  fruitful  in  all  good  works,  as  any  branch  of  the 
church,  similarly  circumstanced,  could  be.  Dig  away  the  soil 
from  the  best  tree,  —  belabor  it  yearly  with  clubs  and  stones, 
and  graft  upon  it  scions  of  the  crab  and  thorn,  and  its  fruit- 
fulness  must  be  diminished. 
16* 


CHAPTER  III. 


CONGREGATIONALISM    AGAINST   THE  PLAN  OF 
UNION. 

The  fraternal  communion  and  harmony  of  the  Churches  on 
the  Reserve,  were  not  seriously  interrupted,  nor  the  existing 
order  of  things  often  spoken  against,  before  the  year  1832. 
Occasionally,  even  from  the  time  when  the  first  Presbytery  was 
organized,  a  zealous  sectarian,  generally  but  recently  arrived, 
and  ignorant  of  the  origin  and  natural  growth  of  religious  or- 
ganizations on  the  Reserve,  would  put  forth  a  feeling  plea  for 
the  ecclesiastism  of  his  ^'  fathers."  A  few  hoped,  in  time,  to 
see  the  Union  system  give  way  to  exclusive  Presbyterianism, 
or  pure  Congregationalism. 

But  the  true  fathers  of  the  church  of  the  Reserve,  the  lib- 
eral, judicious  and  godly  men,  who  had  by  their  toil  and  sac- 
rifices, and  God's  blessing,  changed  the  wilderness  into  a 
fruitful  field,  still  swayed  an  influence,  which  easily  neu- 
tralized the  complaints  of  such  malcontents.  So  beautifully 
and  efl&ciently  did  the  existing  order  subserve  the  purposes  of 

(186) 


Opposition    of    Congregation ali.sm  .  187 

a  Church  polity,  that  it  was  difficult  for  even  an  enemy  to  wag 
his  tongue  against  it. 

But  there  never  was,  on  earth,  an  Eden  into  which  a  ser- 
pent did  not  creep.  When  the  devil  cannot  harass  the  people 
of  God  by  foreign  enemies,  it  is  his  common  policy  to  create 
dissension,  and  array  them  against  each  other.  Whether  for 
good  or  evil  in  the  end,  prosperity  and  peace,  in  time,  breed 
discontent  and  schism,  as  surely  as  the  calm  breeds  the  bur- 
ricane. 

About  the  years  1831-2,  the  Congregational  element  on  the 
Reserve,  was  much  increased  by  the  arrival  of  zealous  minis- 
ters and  laymen,  from  the  east,  who  had  little  knowledge  of, 
and  as  little  regard  for,  the  origin  and  history  of  the  churches 
and  Presbyteries  of  the  region.  Eager  to  make  their  mark, 
and  to  reproduce  the  ecclesiasticism  of  the  older  States ;  and 
having  no  adequate  apprehension  of  the  evils,  agitations  and 
strifes  that  must  attend  reorganizations  and  the  transformation 
of  indigenous  institutions;  ignorant  of  the  attachment  of  the 
churches  and  people  generally  to  their  ecclesiasticism,  and 
confident  of  their  own  ability  speedily  to  correct  what  they 
considered  the  absurdities  and  irregularities  of  the  West ;  these 
persons  began  to  stir  up  the  more  mobile  and  disaffected  ele- 
ments, that  were  scattered  through  the  churches,  and  agitate 
the  subject  of  a  change  in  church  order  and  connections. 

Cognizant  of  these  movements  and  tendencies,  the  Rev.  J. 
Seward,  ever  a  Congregationalist  in  sentiment,  but  ever  the 
fast  friend  and  guardian  of  the  Church  of  the  Reserve,  sought 

CD  /  C 

to  forestall  the  evils  of  agitation  and  schism,  by  publishing  a 
series  of  articles  in  the  Ohio  Observer,  in  the  year  1831,  en- 


188  The    Plan    of    Union. 

titled  ^' Brief  Statements  upon  the  History  of  the  Churches 
on  the  Western  Reserve."  These  "  Statements/'  clear,  can- 
did and  explanatory  of  the  origin  and  growth  of  the  Churches 
and  Presbyteries,  under  the  Plan  of  Union,  served  to  enlighten 
and  satisfy  many  of  the  more  recent  immigrants,  and  repressed, 
though  they  could  not  entirely  prevent,  the  rising  disaffection. 
The  leaven  of  sectarianism,  having  got  into  the  mass,  true  to 
its  evil  nature,  would  work. 

In  April,  1832,  a  communication  appeared  in  the  Observer, 
signed  A —  S — ,  advocating  pure  Congregationalism.  This 
A.  S.  enjoys  the  equivocal  honor  of  commencing,  through  the 
press,  a  discussion  of  Western  Reserve  Ecclesiasticism,  which 
has  been  "  both  long  and  loud  ",  and  fertile  in  bitterness. 

The  writer  said  —  "  As  there  are  a  variety  of  opinions  on 
Church  Government,  I  have  thought  proper  to  give  mine; 
which  I  think  accords  with  the  Bible  and  the  practice  of  the 
Puritans."  His  opinion  was,  that  each  church  is  a  sovereign, 
independent  body;  and  that  there  can  be  no  ecclesiastical  con- 
trol exercised  over  the  churches,  without  infringing  upon  their 
rights,  and  the  rights  of  the  great  head  of  the  church. 

The  Editor  of  the  Observer  remarked,  relative  to  the  publi- 
cation of  the  article  —  **  We  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that 
a  fair  discussion  of  the  subject,  pro  and  con,  will  do  more  good 
than  hurt.  We  shall  therefore  open  our  columns  to  the  dis- 
cussion for  a  time.  There  is  no  danger  of  too  much  investi- 
gation." 

Probably  posterity  will  differ  with  the  Editor  relative  to  the 
resulting  proportions  of  good  and  evil,  from  this  discussion. 
There  is  no  danger  of  too  much   '^ investigation"  properl} 


Opposition   op  Congregationalism.  189 

conducted;  but  much  danger  of  ''too  much"  partizan  zeal 
and  uncharitable  denunciation  and  discontent ;  as  time  has 
shown.  The  good  to  result  from  that  discussion  seems  to  be, 
as  yet,  mainly  a  matter  of  faith ;  the  evil  has  been  obvious 
these  many  years. 

About  the  same  time  that  the  Congregational  opposition  to 
the  Presbyteries  began  openly  to  operate,  disaiFection  began  to 
be  expressed  also  by  the  Presbyterian  relations,  at  a  distance. 
It  is  but  just  to  say  that  the  Presbyterians  of  the  Reserre, 
never  much  disturbed  the  existing  order.  We  have  seen  that 
Mr.  Barr,  the  most  disaflfected  of  the  ministers,  left  the  field 
to  seek  a  stronger  Presbyterianism  elsewhere.  Would  it  not 
have  been  better,  if  certain  Congregationalists  had  imitated  his 
example  ?  But  the  disaffection  which  grew  up,  in  other  parts 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  toward  the  Synod  of  the  Reserve, 
may  have  stimulated  the  opposition  of  the  Congregationalists; 
and  certainly,  greatly  increased  the  embarrassments  of  the 
Synod.     Of  this,  more  hereafter. 

In  January,  1833,  an  article,  signed  "  Timothy,"  was  pub- 
lished, warning  the  churches  against  dissensions  and  the  influ- 
ence of  an  agitating  oligarchy. 

In  April  of  the  same  year,  the  Presbytery  of  Portage  issued 
a  Circular  to  the  churches  under  their  care,  designed  to  coun- 
teract the  growing  discontent.  From  that  paper  the  following 
extracts  are  taken  : 

Individuals  in  several  of  the  churches  under  our  care,  have  ex- 
pressed a  measure  of  solicitude  in  regard  to  the  form  of  government 
which  we  have  adopted,  and  desire  that  a  change  may  bo  effected. 
While  such  has  been  the  fact  in  regard  to  some,. we  apprehend  that 


190  The    Plan    op    Union. 

the  great  body  of  members  in  our  churches  are  satisfied  that  any 
change  in  our  present  organization  would  occasion  divisions,  be  at- 
tended with  consequences  very  undesirable,  and  produce  a  breach 
among  brethren  which  we  should  all  deplore.  Under  this  organiza- 
tion the  great  Head  of  the  church  has  favored  us  with  his  approbation. 
A  degree  of  union  and  love,  seldom  experienced,  has  been  enjoyed ; 
which  we  desire  to  see  perpetuated,  that  our  united  efforts  may  be 
directed,  free  from  diverting  causes,  to  the  future  prosperity  of  our 
Zion. 

The  Circular  points  out  the  Union  features  of  the  Presby- 
tery, so  happily  adapted  to  all  the  churches,  and  proceeds  — 

The  Presbytery  has  never  sought  to  dictate,  nor  to  change  the  form 
of  organization,  adopted  by  any  of  the  churches.  When  a  church 
has  been  formed  by  members  of  the  Presbytery,  the  individuals 
comprehended  in  the  church  have  decided  as  to  its  form  of  govern- 
ment. If  a  majority  of  the  male  members  were  Congregationalists, 
the  church  adopted  the  Congregational  mode  of  government  and  dis- 
cipline. If  a  majority  were  Presbyterians,  the  mode  of  government 
and  discipline  adopted  corresponded  with  their  views.  The  minority 
acquiesced  in  the  decision,  and  lived  harmoniously  with  the  majority. 
Nor  are  we  acquainted  with  a  single  instance  in  which  the  minority 
in  a  church  has  attempted  to  affect  a  change  in  the  form  of  govern- 
ment, or  to  make  difficulties  on  the  subject.  Nor  are  we  acquainted 
with  any  instance  in  which  such  attempts  have  been  made  by  minis- 
ters belonging  to  this  Presbytery. 

To  the  Congregational  churches,  the  Presbytery  is  a  standing  coun- 
cil, to  which  they  may  come  with  their  difficulties,  and  receive  the 
advice  needed.  As  a  bond  of  Union,  and  a  guardian  of  the  purity  of 
doctrines  and  order  in  the  ministry,  the  Presbytery  also  stands  to  the 
Congregational  churches  in  the  relation  of  a  Consociation ;  while  to 
the  Presbyterian  churches  it  is  strictly  a  Presbytery. 

The  article  further  stated  the  origin  of  the  Presbyteries,  and 


Opposition   of   Congregationalism.  191 

the  improbability,  at  that  time,  of  otherwise  uniting  the  feeble 
churches,  so  much  in  need  of  co-operation  and  care. 

This  Circular  was  signed  by  Kev.  Wm.  Hanford,  Stated  Clerk 
of  the  Presbytery;  and  bears  the  mark  of  his  clear,  candid, 
Christian  spirit  and  sentiment  in  its  composition.  Had  such 
of  the  New  England  brethren  as  Messrs.  Hanford  and  Seward, 
opposed  the  existing  ecclesiasticism,  it  might  soon  have  been 
demolished.  But  that  class  of  ministers  too  well  knew  its 
value. 

Portage  Presbytery  had  now  become  the  leading  Presbytery 
in  the  Synod;  and  this  circular  combined,  with  other  influ- 
ences, to  allay  somewhat  the  spirit  of  revolution. 

A  new  importation  of  eastern  denominationalists  was  needed 
to  revive  the  agitation ;  and  in  due  time  they  appeared. 

Prominent  amongst  the  first  disturbing  elements  in  the  re- 
gion, about  this  period,  were  a  class  of  itinerant  evangelists, 
who  introduced  much  novel  machinery  in  promoting  set  revi- 
vals, which  were,  no  doubt,  well  intended,  but  which  so  far 
ignored  divine  agency  in  conversion,  and  so  worked  upon  the 
mere  emotions  of  unindoctrinated  people,  particularly  youth, 
as  to  become  suspicious  and  even  odious  to  those  who  had 
confidence  in  the  usual  means  of  grace. 

About  the  same  time,  a  crusade  was  preached  against  all 
denominationalism,  and  in  favor  of  what  was  named  Union- 
ism ;  which  was  in  fact  an  effort  to  destroy  all  true  union  and 
co-operation,  and  abolish  all  denominations,  in  order  to  collect 
all  nominal  Christians  into  one  hetereogenous  mass,  —  a  kind 
of  Socialism,  that  is  only  practicable  under  anarchy  or  Popery. 

In  July,  1835,  the  movement  in  behalf  of  Congregational- 


19i2  ThePlanopUnion. 

ism  was  revived  ostensibly  by  the  church  at  Hudson.  Messrs. 
D.  Hudson,  O.  Brown  and  Gr.  Kilbourne,  having  been  ap- 
pointed by  that  church  as  a  committee  of  inquiry  and  corresl 
pondence,  relative  to  the  formation  of  a  new  ecclesiastica- 
organization,  published  an  article  to  the  churches,  to  the 
effect,  that  the  union  of  Congregational  churches  with  the 
Greneral  Assembly,  was  both  undesirable  to  Presbyterians,  (as 
the  eiforts  made  to  secure  a  separation  indicated,)  and  un- 
profitable to  Congregationalists.  "  They  are  dissatisfied  with 
us;  and  we  do  not  want  to  share  their  agitations."  The 
committee  *'  believe  that  the  union  should  be  dissolved ;" 
and  therefore  make  suggestions  relative  to  the  formdation  of 
a  Congregational  Association.  The  movement  aims  at  the 
union,  "  so  far  as  possible,  without  the  sacrifice  of  fundamen- 
tal principles  "of  all  those  churches"  which  now  constitute  the 
Synod  of  the  Western  Reserve,"  and  also  a  Union  "  to  a 
wider  extent,  with  all  such  churches  as  shall  approve  of  our 
principles,"  —  (a  union  to  be  effected  by  universal  disunion  /) 
Although  the  Hudson  Committee  were  the  ostensible  leaders 
in  this  movement,  it  was  claimed  that  it  did  not  originate 
there  ]  and  a  plan  of  organization  was  published,  purporting 
to  have  been  furnished  to  the  committee  by  a  minister  in  an- 
other part  of  the  Reserve. 

To  show  what  shape  the  effort  assumed  at  this  period,  we 
condense  and  extract  from  the  proposed  basis  as  follows  : 

Each  church  shall  be  independent  in  its  government,  subject  to  no 
ecclesiastical  authority,  possessing  the  right  to  manage  its  internal 
affairs  either  by  a  bench  of  elders,  a  standing  committee,  or  by  the 
whole  body  of  the  church. 


Opposition  of  Congregationalism.  193 

There  shall  be  an  annual  meeting  of  the  associated  Pastors  and 
Churches,  which  may  examine  and  license  candidates;  ordain,  install 
and  dismiss  pastors;  exercise  original  jurisdiction  in  all  cases  of  com- 
plaint or  discipline,  against  ministers,  members  of  their  own  body ; 
give  advice  on  questions  of  faith,  practice,  or  discipline,  referred  to 
them  by  the  churches ;  and  consult  respecting  the  best  means  of  ad- 
vancing holiness  in  the  churches  and  communities. 

Each  church  may  bear  such  name  as  it  may  choose,  or  as  may  have 
been  given  to  it  at  its  incorporation. 

The  body  composing  the  annual  meeting  may  adopt  such  name  as 
shall  be  mutually  agreed  upon,  perhaps  Consociated  Presbytery. 

The  Consociated  Presbytery  did  not,  however,  get  itself  con- 
sociated as  readily  as  was  hoped. 

A  communication  soon  appeared,  signed  "  S.  J.  B."  (Brad- 
street,)  maintaining  that  Presbytcrianism  ''  is  a  thousand  times 
better  than  Congregationalism,"  yet  anticipating  a  rupture  with 
the  General  Assembly,  and  discussing  the  propriety  of  a  se- 
cession on  the  part  of  the  Western  Reserve  Synod  and  the  en- 
tire New  School  party,  from  the  General  Assembly.  S.  J.  B. 
believes  that  ''the  Western  Reserve  Synod  are  unanimous 
enough  in  feeling  safely  to  take  the  lead  in  such  a  move- 
ment;" yet  deprecates  the  step  as  one  that  would  be  ruinous 
in  its  influence  upon  other  Synods,  and  the  general  interests 
of  the  church.  Nor  does  he  believe  that  the  Western  Reserve 
churches  could  agree  upon  any  thing  else  that  would  satisfy 
them  as  well  as  the  present  arrangement. 

To  this  communication  Esq.  Hudson  replied,  in  behalf  of 
Cougregutiormlists ;  uuiintaiiiiug  that  the  people  and  churches 
on  the  Reserve  were  mostly  Congregational ;  that  in  their  in- 
fancy they  were  taken  under  the  care  of  Presbytery,  expecting 

17 


194  The    Plan    op    Union. 

to  be  dismissed  as  soon  as  they  were  able  to  go  alone  ;  declar- 
ing further  that  "  they  do  not  enjoy  their  rights  in  the  pres- 
ent connection,  and  will  not  long  submit  to  the  control  of 
Presbytery." 

A  convention  was  called  at  Hudson  Sept.  3,  1835,  immedi- 
ately after  Commencement  in  the  Western  Reserve  College, 
to  consider  the  subject  of  a  change  in  ecclesiastical  institutions. 
Addresses  were  made  by  Rev.  Messrs.  Lyman,  Beecher,  who 
was  in  attendance  at  the  Commencement  Exercises,  Hanford  and 
Palmer,  and  Messrs.  Kingsbury,  Hudson  and  Baldwin.  After 
discussion,  Messrs.  Hanford,  Keep  and  Baldwin  were  appointed 
a  committee  to  state  to  the  churches  the  reasons  why  the  con- 
vention '^  deem  it  inexpedient  to  take  measures,  at  this  time, 
for  altering  the  present  system  of  church  government.'' 

The  committee  appointed  to  make  the  statement,  for  some 
reason,  failed  to  co-operate;  and  at  length  Mr.  Hanford,  in 
behalf  of  the  committee,  addressed  a  model  letter  to  the 
churches,  setting  forth,  in  substance,  that,  ( 1  )  No  adequate 
reasons  exist  for  making  a  change.  The  churches  now  enjoy 
their  rights,  and  conduct  their  government  in  the  manner  pre- 
ferred by  them,  without  restraint  or  compulsion  by  Presbytery. 
They  could  gain  no  privileges  by  a  change  which  they  do  not 
now  enjoy.  Under  the  present  arrangement  they  have  pros- 
pered and  grown  rapidly  for  many  years.  Twenty  years  be- 
fore, their  membership  numbered  but  a  few  hundred;  now 
there  were  as  many  thousands ;  the  ministry  meantime  had 
increased  nearly  ten-fold ;  and  the  benevolent  contributions 
had  increased  from  almost  nothing  to  nearly  ten  thousand 
dollars  per  year.     (  2  )  Moreover,  circumstances  imperative   j 


Opposition    of  Congregationalism.  195 

forbade  any  such  action  at  that  time.  No  other  plan  was  pro- 
posed which  could  unite  the  churches.  No  evidence  existed 
that  any  considerable  number,  out  of  the  one  hundred  and 
fifty  churches,  desired  a  change.  A  change,  to  accommodate 
the  few  dissatisfied,  would  be  unwarrantable. 

A  break-up  would  divide  the  churches  into  three  parties, — 
ultra  Presbyterians,  Unionists,  and  ultra  Congregationalists. 
Churches  would  split  and  be  unable  to  support  their  minis- 
ters ;  jealousies  would  be  fermented,  and  the  church  generally 
diverted  from  its  proper  aim.  Moreover,  great  questions  were 
coming  up  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  relative  to  co-operative 
benevolence,  and  kindred  subjects,  and  it  was  the  duty  of  this 
Synod  to  bear  its  part  in  deciding  them.  Should  it  now  se- 
cede, its  example  would  be  imitated,  and  God  alone  could 
foresee  where  the  schism  would  stop. 

At  this  time  another  valuable  series  of  articles  appeared 
from  the  pen  of  Rev.  J.  Seward,  entitled,  "Brief  Considera- 
tions on  Congregationalism,"  exhibiting  the  multiplicity  of 
forms  and  indefiuitness  of  Congregationalism,  and  illustrat- 
ing, from  history,  some  of  the  difl&culties  attending  the  admin- 
istration of  church  government  by  this  method;  and  exhorting 
the  churches  to  be  content  with  their  present  comfortable  po- 
sition, and  not  incur  the  evils  of  division,  for  uncertain  and 
doubtful  gains. 

Thus  the  Congregational  movement  was  again  checked,  and, 
so  far  as  the  organization  of  the  '^  Consociated  Presbytery"  was 
concerned,  suppressed. 

Meantime,  however,  a  small  organization  had  got  into  nom- 
nal  existence  under  the  name  of    "  Independent   Congrega- 


196  The    Plan    op    Union. 

tional  Union  of  the  Western  Reserve  f  but  of  the  manner  of 
its  birth,  or  its  history,  the  present  writer  has  learned  nothing 
definite.  At  a  meeting  held' at  Palmyra,  August  27,  1835, 
the  following  churches  were  represented,  viz:  —  the  churches 
in  Williamsfield,  Wayne,  G-reene,  Andover,  Pittsburgh,  Akron, 
Copley,  Shalersville,  Northfield  and  Elimburgh,  Pa. 

THE    OBERLIN    MOVEMENT. 

Congregationalism  had  now  secured  another  company  of 
brave  recruits  from  abroad,  ready  to  do  battle  for  her  inter- 
ests, with  all  the  zeal  and  confidence  of  former  pioneers.  The 
next  year,  1836,  another  convention  was  therefore  called  at 
Hudson,  to  accomplish  the  task  in  which  last  year's  conven- 
tion failed.  The  Observer,  then  edited  by  Rev.  A.  R.  Clark, 
remonstrated,  as  usual^  against  needless  agitation,  believing 
that,  "  under  present  circumstances,  the  existing  organizations 
harmonize  and  satisfy  all  parties  better  than  any  new  organiz- 
ation could  do.'' 

The  convention,  however,  met  August  25,  1836,  and  was 
attended  by  about  thirty  ministers  and  delegates,  from  nearly 
as  many  churches.  Amongst  the  advocates  for  organizing  a 
Congregational  Union,  were  President  Mahan  and  Professor 
Cowles,  of  Oberlin ;  Rev.  Messrs.  Rockwell,  Austin,  Porter, 
and  several  laymen.  Amongst  those  who  opposed  the  move- 
ment, were  Rev.  Messrs.  S.  C.  Aiken,  Hanford,  Sheldon, 
Parmelee,  Eells  and  Clarke ;  Harmon  Kingsbury,  S.  Baldwin, 
and  others. 

After  discussing  the  resolution  that,  "  It  is  now  expedient 
to  form  a  Congregational  Union  for  the  Western  Reserve,''  it 


Opposition   of  Congregationalism.  197 

was  passed,  with  the  understanding  that  the  vote  was  only 
advisory. 

Rev.  Messrs.  Prof.  Cowles,  J".  Poole  and  D.  Rockwell,  and 
Deacons  Elizur  Wright  and  A.  Kilbourne,  were  appointed  to 
draft  a  Constitution. 

The  convention  adjourned  to  meet  at  Oberlin  on  the  15th 
and  16th  of  September  following.  At  that  meeting  nineteen 
churches  were  represented,  and  seventeen  formally  received 
through  their  delegates. 

A  Constitution  was  presented,  modified,  and  adopted  as  fol- 
lows : 

Art.  1.  This  body  shall  be  called  the  General  Association  of  the 
Western  Reserve,  and  shall  be  formed  of  ministers,  and  not  more 
than  two  delegates  from  each  of  the  churches  connected  with  it.  ( If 
delegates  were  included,  why  was  it  not  named  Consociation  ?) 

2.  The  object  of  this  Association  is  not  to  exercise  any  ecclesias- 
tical control  Or  jurisdiction,  nor  to  be  a  standing  council  to  the 
churches  (provided,  nevertheless,  that  it  shall  withdraw  Chi'istian 
communion  and  fellowship  from  any  ministers  or  churches  proving 
themselves  fundamentally  corrupt  in  doctrine  or  practice).  But  it 
shall  be  its  object  to  afford  to  such  of  them  as  choose  the  free  exer- 
cise of  their  Congregational  rights,  to  facilitate  and  promote  Christian 
intercourse  and  communion  with  one  another,  to  support  and  aid  each 
other  in  difficulties  and  trials,  and  to  unite  their  counsels  and  efforts 
for  the  welfare  of  the  churches,  the  salvation  of  souls,  and  the  gen- 
eral interests  of  Christ's  Kingdom. 

3.  Any  minister  of  the  Gospel  may  become  a  member  of  this  body 
by  assenting  to  this  Constitution,  and  by  presenting  proper  testimo- 
nials of  his  Christian  character  and  standing  in  the  ministry. 

4.  Any  Congregational  Church  on  the  Reserve,  may  join  the  Asso- 
ciation by  giving  evidence  that  it  is  a  church  of  Christ,  and  by  assent- 

17* 


198  The    Plan    of    Union. 

ing  to  this  Constitution.     Churches  in  places  adjacent  to  the  Reserve, 
may  likewise  join  the  Association  on  the  same  terms. 

5.  This  Association,  believing  that  we  are  bound  to  offer  Christian 
communion  and  fellowship  to  all  whom  Christ  receives,  design  to  com- 
prise in  our  creed  no  other  points  than  such  as  we  deem  essential  to 
salvation,  of  which  the  following  is  a  summary : 

CREED. 
Art.  1.  We  believe  that  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments were  given  by  inspiration  of  God,  and  are  the  only  infallible 
rule  of  faith  and  practice. 

2.  We  believe  in  one  God,  the  Creator  and  Ruler  of  the  universe, 
existing  in  a  divine  and  incomprehensible  Trinity,  the  Father,  the 
Son  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  possessing  all  divine  per- 
fections. 

3.  We  believe  in  the  fall  of  our  first  parents,  and  the  consequent 
entire  apostacy  and  depravity  and  lost  condition  of  the  human  race. 

4.  We  believe  in  the  incarnation,  death  and  atonement  of  the  Son 
of  God,  and  that  salvation  is  attained  only  through  repentance  and 
faith  in  his  blood. 

5.  We  believe  in  the  necessity  of  a  radical  change  of  heart,  and 
that  this  is  effected  through  the  truth,  by  the  agency  of  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

6.  We  believe  that  the  moral  law  is  binding  upon  all  mankind  as 
the  rule  of  life,  and  that  obedience  to  it  is  the  proper  evidence  of  a 
saving  change. 

7.  We  believe  that  credible  evidence  of  a  change  of  heart  is  an  in- 
dispensible  ground  of  admission  to  the  privileges  of  the  visible  church. 

8.  We  believe  that  Christ  has  appointed  Baptism  and  the  Lord's 
Supper  to  be  perpetually  observed  in  the  church.  (This  article,  in 
the  copy  now  used  by  the  Oberlin  Church,  includes  "the  Christian 
Sabbath"  aa  of  "perpetual  obligation  in  the  Church.") 

9.  We  believe  in  a  future  judgment,  the  endless  happiness  of  the 
righteous,  and  the  endless  misery  of  the  wicked. 


Opposition   op  Congregationalism.  19 

The  sixth  article  of  the  Constitution  provides  for  ofl&cers, 
meetings,  &c. 

Art.  7  of  the  Constitution :  Any  churches  embraced  in  this  General 
Association,  may  associate  or  consociate  themselves  in  smaller  bodies, 
in  such  manner  as  they  please,  not  inconsistent  with  the  principles  of 
this  Constitution. 

Note.  While  we  adopt  the  foregoing  Confession  of  Faith  and  Con- 
stitution, as  the  basis  of  this  Association,  we,  as  a  body,  avow  our 
adherence  to  the  system  of  doctrines,  and  to  the  usages  generally 
received  among  orthodox  Congregational  Churches  in  New  England. 
We  wish  it  to  be  distinctly  understood  that  it  is  far  from  our  intention 
to  propose  a  substitution  of  the  Articles  of  Faith  of  this  Association, 
in  the  churches,  instead  of  those  which  they  have  already  adopted. 

The  following  resolutions  were  also  adopted  : 

1.  That  this  Association  has  originated  in  an  honest  attachment  to 
the  principles  of  Congregationalism,  in  a  wish  to  carry  out  our  Sa- 
viour's laws  of  Christian  Union,  and  in  a  regard  for  the  welfare  of 
many  churches,  both  on  the  Reserve  and  in  the  region  south  of  us, 
that  have  not  been  connected  with  any  ecclesiastical  body,  and  have 
been  waiting  for  and  desiring  an  organization  of  this  sort. 

2,  This  Association  entertain  a  high  regard  for  the  Presbyterian 
ministers  and  churches  on  the  Reserve,  and  would  most  cordially 
cherish  their  Christian  fellowship,  and  our  movement  in  forming  our- 
selves into  a  distinct  organization  has  not  originated  in  any  lack  of 
confidence  in  those  brethren,  nor  in  any  wish  to  be  dissociated  from 
their  communion. 

Thus,  at  last,  the  Union  got  itself  organized  under  the  name 
of  Association,  but  prophets  were  not  wanting  who  augured  only 
disunion  and  distraction  as  the  fruits  of  the  movement;  and 
some  churches  and  ministers,  who  at  first  entered  into  the  pro- 


200  The    Plan    of    Union. 

ject,  soon  after  fell  away.  Whether  in  doing  so,  they  '^fell 
from  grace/'  we  are  not  informed. 

In  both  the  constitution  and  the  doctrinal  basis  here  adopted, 
we  find  something  quite  different  from  those  upon  which  the 
Presbyteries  were  founded.  After  reading  the  fourth,  fifth 
and  seventh  articles  of  the  Constitution,  together  with  the  Ar- 
ticles of  Faith,  one  cannot  but  think  of  the  Michigan  brother's 
definition  of  Congregationalism  :  ''a  ten  acre  lot,  with  a  pair 
of  bars  on  one  side,  but  no  fence  around  it.''  Good  enough, 
if  nothing  mischievous  needs  to  be  kept  out. 

The  Ohio  Observer,  by  request,  published  the  proceedings 
of  the  Convention,  accompanying  them  with  the  following 
editorial : 

We  have  before  expressed  our  views  relative  to  this  movement,  and 
our  reasons  for  believing  that  the  time  for  a  change  in  our  church 
polity  had  not  yet  come,  and  that  evils  would  follow  if  a  move  should 
now  be  made. 

But  a  move  has  been  made  ;  a  new  organization  will  be  completed ; 
and  our  earnest  wish  now  is,  that  it  may  be  founded  on  such  principles 
as  will  most  effectually  secure  peace  and  harmony  to  the  churches,  and 
be  best  calculated  to  avert  the  evils  which  we  have  predicted. 

The  fundamental  principle  of  the  effort  is  that  of  bringing  all  Chris- 
tians into  one  church  or  denomination.  All  Christians  may  unite, — 
Methodists,  Baptists,  Episcopalians,  Presbyterians,  Congregationalists, 
&c., — all  who  hold  so  much  of  Bible  truth  as  is  necessary  to  salvation. 
There  is  no  mention  made  of  the  doctrines  of  Election,  Perseverance  of 
the  Saints,  Justification  by  Faith,  Infant  Baptism,  &c.  The  principle 
is,  we  are  bound  to  offer  communion  and  fellowship  to  all  whom  Christ 
receives.  Is  this  principle  a  good  one,  and  can  it  be  adopted  ?  We 
think  not.  Many  of  the  doctrines  which  they  hold  are  fundamentally 
wrong,  and  have  a  ruinous  tendency.     They  may  be  Christians,  but 


Opposition   of   Congregationalism.  201 

so  long  as  they  hold  these  erroneous  doctrines  we  can  not  consistently 
receive  them  to  full  communion  ;  and  thus  declare  to  the  world  that 
in  our  opinion  the  denomination  to  which  they  belong  is  strictly 
Christian. 

The  article  proceeds  to  point  out  other  objectionable  fea- 
tures in  the  Constitution  above  given. 

The  fundamental  error  adopted  by  the  Association,  consists, 
not  in  offering  fellowship  and  communion  with  all  whom  Christ 
receives,  but  in  identifying  church  relationship  with  Christian 
fellowship,  and  aiming  to  effect  a  spiritual  union  by  mere  ex- 
ternal aggregation  and  amalgamation.  True  Christian  union 
is  to  be  effected,  not  by  a  loose  organization  and  lowering  down 
of  the  terms  of  church  membership  so  as  to  accommodate  every- 
body, but  by  sufiusing  all  denominations  and  churches  with 
the  charity  of  the  Gospel,  and  begetting  that  mutual  love 
which  overlooks  and  tolerates  external  differences.  A  hete- 
rogenous conglomerate  of  discordant  elements  is  very  far  from 
the  true  ideal  of  a  church. 

It  is,  however,  worthy  of  record,  that  the  church  at  Oberlin 
has  stood,  so  far,  as  the  embodied  realization  of  the  above  basis. 
With  how  much  real  interior  unity  its  members  best  know. 

It  was  a  little  curious  that  the  first  convention,  out  of  which 
the  Oberlin  Association  grew,  was  called  in  Hudson ;  though 
the  union  could  not  there  get  itself  born. 

Immediately  after  the  organization  effected  at  Oberlin,  the 
Rev.  J.  Seward  again  lifted  up  his  voice  of  caution  and  admo- 
nition ;  calling  attention  to  the  established  organizations,  the 
Presbyteries,  as  best  suited  to  the  wants  of  the  churches.  The 
ground  taken  by  the  Observer  caused  a  slight  curtailment  of  its 


202  The    Plan    of    Union  • 

subscription  list,  by  those  who  entered  the  Association.  Mr. 
Mahan  immediately  sent  forth  a  sermon  on  the  principles  of 
Christian  union,  and  Church  fellowship.  And  the  Observer 
republished  the  circular  of  Portage  Presbytery,  first  sent  out 
in  1833. 

The  Presbytery  of  Trumbull  also  published  a  circular,  in 
view  of  the  efforts  made  within  its  bouuds,  to  alienate  the 
churches;  exhorting  them  to  avoid  division  and  strife,  and 
adhere  to  the  Presbytery,  which  was  so  well  adapted  to  pro- 
mote the  union  of  Congregational  and  Presbyterian  churches. 

The  organization  of  the  Western  Reserve  Congregational  As- 
sociation, was  regarded  as  faiily  pitting  Oberlin  against  Hudson 
and  the  Synod.  An  effort  had  previously  been  made  to  secure 
Professor  Finney  at  Hudson ;  and  thus,  by  friendly  compromise, 
prevent  the  organization  of  a  second  Theological  Seminary. 
This  effort  failed.  About  the  same,  time  the  Oberlin  men, 
particularly  President  Mahan,  began  to  make  prominent  their 
distinctive  and  characteristic  doctrines,  particularly  that  called 
the  doctrine  of  ''  Christian  perfection.''  Taking  also  an  active 
part  in  what  was  generally  regarded  as  the  ultra  Anti-Slavery 
movement,  Oberlin  became  henceforth  an  object  of  suspicion 
and  aversion  to  most  of  the  ministers  and  churches  on  the 
Reserve.  Soon  after  the  organization  of  the  ''Union,"  a  caus- 
tic review  of  that  movement  appeared,  setting  forth  that  the 
thing  at  first  originated  at  Oberlin,  and  was  sent  to  Hudson  to 
be  subscribed,  and  complaining  that  "  strangers  on  the  Reserve 
should  take  this  early  opportunity  to  strike  a  blow  at  existing 
institutions,  a  blow  tending  to  divide  ministers  and  churches 
heretofore  harmonious ;  (albeit  this  was  disavowed  by  the  mov- 


Opposition   of   Congreoation alism.  203 

ers.)  They  propose  universal  union,  yet  aim  to  break  up  our 
union,  whieh  is  so  satisfactory  and  harmonious  ;  for  the  effort 
aims  to  draw  off  all  Congregationalists  and  thus  to  produce 
alienations,  divisions  and  dissentions/'  The  writer  also  con- 
sidered it  unbefittino;,  '^  that  a  minister  at  the  head  of  a  Liter- 
ary Institution,  himself  a  member  of  Presbytery,  should  take 
the  attitude  of  an  assailant  of  Presbyterianism.  Our  minis- 
ters and  churches  generally,  he  maintained,  are  satisfied.  If 
they  wanted  a  change,  let  them  effect  it;  but  let  it  not  be 
done  by  a  few  strangers,  who  do  not  so  well  understand  our 
situation. '^ 

This  article,  of  course,  was  answered,  and  the  charge  of 
aiming  at  divisions  and  schism  repudiated.  Discussion  on 
both  sides  waxed  warmer  and  fierce.  Soon  after  the  doctrinal 
peculiarities  of  Oberlin  began  to  elicit  extensive  public  discus- 
sion and  animadversion  ;  and  it  became  evident  that  the  new 
Association  could  not  secure  the  old  fashioned  Calvanistio 
Congregationalists. 

Shortly  after  the  organization  of  the  Greneral  Association, 
a  convention  was  held  at  Farmington,  and  the  Trumbull  Con- 
sociation organized,  in  accordance  with  a  provision  in  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  General  Association ;  adopting  its  Confession 
of  Faith.  How  long  this  continued  to  exist,  or  what  it  ac- 
complished the  writer  has  not  learned. 

The  General  Association  attained  a  continued,  though  for 
many  years,  doubtful  existence.  It  may  seem  strange  to  Con- 
gregationaHsts  abroad,  that  it  should  have  fared  no  better  in  a 
region  so  largely  populated  by  New  Englanders.  The  reasons 
however  were  obvious  to  those  upon  the  field. 


204  The    Plan   or    Union. 

The  attachment  of  most  of  the  churches  and  people,  to  the 
existing  order  of  things,  was  strong;  and  they  cared  not  to 
experiment  with  novelties.  The  movement  was  forced,  and 
did  not  grow  out  of  the  churches.  Much,  even  of  the  decided 
Congregationalism  of  the  Reserve,  stood  aloof  from  the  novel 
and  heterodox  theology,  emanating  from  the  new  Association ; 
and  the  antagonism  between  some  of  the  independent  Congre- 
gational Churches  and  Oberlinism,  was  every  way  as  strong  as 
between  the  latter  and  the  Synod ;  and  as  ruthless  divisions 
were  at  length  driven  through  some  of  the  independent 
churches,  as  through  those  connected  with  the  Presbyteries. 
In  short,  the  Congregationalism  of  the  Reserve,  was  a  mixed 
and  heterogeneous  mass,  having  no  principles  of  unity  which 
could  continuously  hold  together  its  separate  elements. 

The  Oberlin  party  gathered  up  the  extreme  radical,  and 
somewhat  Arminian  elements,  and  attracted  many  of  the  rest- 
less and  unstable  elements,  and  produced  a  prodigious  fer- 
ment, with  occasional  explosions. 

But  most  of  the  Congregationalism  of  the  Reserve,  found 
less  affinity  far  with  that,  than  with  Presbyterianism,  and  re- 
mained in  its  former  position.  Many  who,  at  first,  entered 
into  the  movement,  were  disappointed  by  the  results. 

ESQUIRE  HUDSON. 

The  death  of  Esquire  Hudson,  in  March,  1836,  was  a  se- 
vere blow  for  the  church  in  Hudson,  and  also  for  the  orthodox, 
consociated  Congregationalism  which  he  had  advocated. 

A  man  of  worth  and  piety,  he  enjoyed  the  respect  and  con- 
fidence of  all }  though  known  as  the  firm  advocate  of  a  change 


Opposition  of  Conqriqation alism.  205 

in  ecclesiastical  matters.  Yet  the  testimony,  left  shortly  be- 
fore his  death,  in  a  letter  written  to  Rev.  J.  Seward,  exhibits 
a  change  in  his  convictions  relative  to  the  expediency  of  fur- 
ther prosecuting  the  agitation,  and  also  shows  the  candor  and 
Christian  spirit  of  the  man.  An  extract  from  the  letter  runs 
as  follows  :  —  "It  being  my  honest  conviction  that  the  Con- 
gregationalism which  I  am  endeavoring  to  sustain,  is  that 
happy  medium  between  the  independency  of  the  church  and  the 
dictatorial  power  of  the  clergy  ;  which  is  best  calculated  to  pro- 
mote the  piety  and  peace  of  all  concerned  j  as  well  as  being  most 
scriptural  of  any  hitherto  devised;  I  must  urge  it  on  the 
consideration  of  both  ministers  and  people;  but  shall  at  pres- 
ent refrain  from  publishing  any  thing  more  on  this  subject; 
because,  among  other  reasons,  I  find  I  can  not  express  myself 
freely,  without  making  statements  which  would  have  the  eflfect 
of  lessening  the  influence  on  the  public  mind,  which  our  good 
ministers  ought  always  to  exert.  The  cause  of  Christ  ought 
certainly  to  be  dearer  to  me  than  my  own  reputation  or  any 
worldly  consideration. '^ 

The  rugged  pioneer,  esteemed  citizen,  and  devoted  Chris- 
tian, sleeps  in  peace.  On  his  tomb-stone  the  visitor  may  still 
read  the  epitaph  of  his  own  selection  —  ^'  A  poor  sinner, 
saved  hy  grace.'' 

CONGREGATIONALISM   AND  THE  EXCISION. 

The  years  thirty-six,  thirty-seven  and  thirty-eight,  formed  % 

stormy  and  trying  period  for  the  Reserve  Synod.     On  one 

side  was  decided  and  restless  Congregationalism   constantly 

working  against  it  on  account  of  its  Presbyterianism.     On  the 

18 


206  The    Plan    of    Union. 

other  side  was  a  large  proportion  of  the  General  Assembly  de- 
nouncing it  for  its  Congregational  irregularities.  Yet,  it  is  to 
be  testified  to  its  credit,  that  through  all  these  commotions,  it 
preserved  its  equanimity  and  harmony,  and  quietly  worked 
along  iit  its  appointed  sphere.  Its  meetings  were  peaceful  and 
pleasant,  exhibiting  Christian  love  and  fidelity  to  the  members 
and  churches,  and  to  the  Head  of  the  Church,  who  did  not 
fail  to  manifest  his  approbation. 

Nor,  despite  all  the  efforts  made  to  weaken  and  subvert  it, 
did  most  of  the  churches  and  their  members  fail  to  see  in  it 
an  organization  happily  adjusted  to  the  character  and  wants  of 
the  churches,  and  an  organization  efficiently  laboring  for  the 
cause  of  Christ. 

In  the  winter  of  1836-7,  Rev.  James  Eells,  Sen.,  published 
a  short  series  of  candid  articles,  exhibiting  the  Scriptural  basis 
and  principles  of  the  Presbyterian  polity.  Rev.  J.  Seward, 
the  proper  historian  and  guardian  of  the  peace  of  the  churches, 
sent  forth,  anew,  his  wholesome  instructions  and  exhorta- 
tions. While  more  passionate  pleaders,  both  for  the  Synod 
and  for  Congregationalism,  failed  not  to  use  both  voice  and 
pen  with  facility  and  zeal. 

The  General  Assembly  of  1837,  however,  sent  down  upon 
the  persecuted  Synod,  an  avalanche  that  surpassed  all  preced- 
ing onsets. 

We  are  now  to  consider  the  Excision  of  the  Western  Re- 
serve Synod  from  the  General  Assembly,  merely  in  its  bear- 
ings upon  Congregationalism. 

The  Synod  was,  at  this  time,  the  most  prominent  exponent 
of  the  Plan  of  Union.     The  Congregationalism  embraced  in  it, 


Opposition  of  Congregationalism.  207 

and  around  it,  brought  it  into  evil  repute  with  the  Assembly; 
and,  mainly  on  this  account,  the  Union  was  repudiated,  and 
the  Synod  spurned  away. 

Here  then,  it  might  have  been  surmised,  would  be  the  end 
of  the  Plan  of  Union  and  its  fruits.  Congregationalists  know- 
ing the  extent  of  Congregational  sympathy  and  elements  in 
the  Synod,  and  the  small  proportion  of  original  Presbyterians, 
could  but  have  regarded  this  movement  as  offering  the  very 
best  opportunity  to  transform  the  Presbyteries  into  Consocia- 
tions, and  secure  their  favorite  polity. 

To  the  Presbyterians,  the  question  must  have  been  para- 
mount, what  shall  we  do?  Now,  if  ever,  was  the  time  to  go 
over  to  pure  Congregationalism.  And  considering  the  opposi- 
tion which  Presbyterianism  has  ever  met  upon  the  Reserve,  it 
is  difficult  to  see  why  a  change  at  that  time  would  not  have 
been  advisable. 

Could  orderly,  orthodox  associations  and  consociations  have 
been  then  established  and  generally  acquiesced  in,  subsequent 
agitations  might  have  been  prevented.  A  few  more  churches 
would  probably  have  gone  to  the  Old  School  Assembly ;  and 
some  churches  might  have  been  divided  and  ruined.  But  ju- 
diciously organized  Consociations  might  probably  have  gath- 
ered most  of  the  churches,  then  in  the  field,  and  held  them. 

Such  a  change,  however,  neither  met  the  approbation  of  the 
leading  ministers  and  churches,  nor  the  will  of  Providence. 

The  Plan  of  Union  had  now  become  a  permanent  institu- 
tion, and  had  a  destiny  before  it.  The  Associated  Congrega- 
tionalists  would  not  now  desert  their  Presbyterian  brethren, 
who  had  been  for  their  sakes  disinherited;    nor   would   the 


208  The    Plan    of    Union. 

Presbyterians  consult  their  own  comfort,  reputation  and  con- 
nection, so  far  as  to  abandon  the  brethren  and  churches  with 
which  they  had  so  long  fraternally  co-operated.  The  Union 
Synod  was  not  a  failure,  and  could  not  be  demolished.  Strong 
in  its  own  frame  work,  and  in  the  love  of  its  churches,  stronger 
in  the  affection  and  guardianship  of  the  Lord  whom  it  served, 
it  braved  the  shock  of  excision ;  and,  like  a  strong  ship,  struck 
by  an  iceberg,  tremble  for  a  moment,  but  righted  again, 
re-adjusted  sail  and  rudder,  and  moved  off  as  strong  and 
majestic  as  before. 

Thus  it  was  demonstrated  that  the  ecclesiasticism  of  the  Re- 
serve was  adequate  for  its  mission,  adapted  to  the  people  and 
the  soil  on  which  it  grew,  and  could  not  be  subverted. 

It  does  not  appear  that  the  Congregationalism  which  op- 
posed it,  gained  any  thing  by  the  excision.  The  battle  against 
Oberlin  polity,  theology  and  education,  went  on ;  and  the  an- 
tagonism between  Oberlin  and  the  orthodox  and  orderly  Con- 
gregationalism of  the  Reserve,  became  more  prominent. 

Efforts  were  now  and  then  made,  as  aforetime,  to  start  Or- 
thodox Congregational  Associations  and  Consociations.*  Zeal- 
ous adventurers  from  New  England  often  set  about  the  work 
courageously,  lacking  no  perceptible  talent  which  could  minis- 
ter to  their  success.  Beautiful  organizations  were  sometimes 
effected,  and  began  to  work  hopefully.  But  invariably,  they 
found  a  lack  of  sympathy  and  of  material;  and  after  a  few 
years  of  decline  and  struggle,  sank  to  rise  no  more. 

*  The  term  Orthodox  is  used  on  the  RcserTe,  not  in  distinction  from  Unitarian,  as 
in  New  England,  but  to  distingiiish  Calvinistic  from  Semi-Arminian  and  Oberlin 
peculitrities. 


Opposition  of  Congregationalism.  209 

How  many  specific  efforts  have  been  made  since  1832,  to 
establish  purely  Congregational  bodies  on  the  Reserve,  is  per- 
haps unknown  to  any  person  of  ordinary  powers  of  memory. 
Yet,  out  of  them  all,  there  has  not  yet  arisen  one,  which  has 
answered  the  expectations  of  its  founders,  or  become,  in  any 
sense,  a  rival  of  the  Synod  or  Presbyteries.  Each  of  them, 
however,  has  undoubtedly  assisted  to  keep  alive  the  seeds  of 
discontent,  and  prevent  some  of  the  churches  of  the  Reserve 
from  harmonizing  with  the  others.  There  is  a  large  number 
of  Congregational  Churches  on  the  Reserve,  standing  alone, 
unconnected  with  any  body  of  churches ;  and  any  successful 
effort  to  unite  these  churches  into  fraternal  co-operation  with 
each  other,  if  with  nobody  else,  would  do  Christ  service.  Of 
late,  there  seems  to  be  a  prospect  that  something  may  be  done 
in  this  direction. 

■  The  Puritan  Association^  organized  November,  1852,  en- 
joys a  good  reputation,  as  a  sound,  Calvinistic,  orderly  body; 
embracing  ten  or  twelve  ministers  and  several  churches.  *Tf  a 
large,  efficient,  orthodox  Congreg-ational  Association  ever  arises 
in  this  region,  this  will  probably  be  the  nucleus  around  which 
it  will  gather. 

The  ''Medina  Association,"  and  the  "North-eastern  Associa- 
tion of  Ohio,"  less  known  to  the  writer,  are  also  believed  to  be 
promising,  though  small  bodies,  and  laboring  with  a  Christian 
spirit  to  build  up  churches  kindred  to  those  of  New  England. 

The  most  important  Congregational  movement  of  later  years, 
was  the  formation,  in  1852  of  a  State  Conference.     The  call 
for  the  first  convention  issued  form  Marietta.     The  first  meet- 
ing was  held  at  Mansfield,  and  the  roll  of  members  comprised 
18* 


210  The    Plan    of   Union. 

seventy-six  members  of  convention  and  forty-four  churches. 
What  proportion  of  those  were  from  the  Reserve  is  not  known. 
It  was  not  the  least  remarkable  feature  of  this  convention  that 
it  first  united  in  friendly  conference,  representatives  of  all  the 
different  styles  and  classes  of  Congregationalists  in  the  State. 
And  the  remark  of  many  of  the  attendants  was,  ''  we  were 
surprised  to  find  ourselves  so  much  alike."  This  surprise  pro- 
bably grew  mainly  out  of  the  fact,  that  the  Oberlin  brethren 
met  with  those  who  enjoyed  an  unquestioned  reputation  for 
orthodoxy.  Whether  the  present  resemblance  grows  out  of  a 
modification  of  Oberlin,  or  of  the  others;  or  is  merely  the  re- 
sult of  an  unprejudiced  comparison  of  views  and  aims,  is  un- 
known to  the  writer. 

It  is  to  be  hoped,  that  the  effort  so  successfully  begun,  of 
uniting  the  scattered  and  independant  Congregationalists  of 
Ohio,  may  be  efficiently  prosecuted ;  provided,  the  Congrega- 
tional sectarianism,  which  certain  organs  have  been  kindling  of 
late,"  can  be  excluded. 

Still,  it  is  not  to  be  ignored  that  the  fact,  that  these  con- 
ferences embrace  all  the  types  of  Western  Congregationalism 
causes  them  to  be  regarded  with  distrust,  and  keeps  back  many, 
whose  prejudices  against  Oberlin  have  been  too  long  growing 
to  be  readily  removed. 

As  this  Conference  is  apparently  destined  to  exert  an  impor- 
tant influence  upon  the  Congregationalism  of  the  Reserve ;  its 
doctrinal  basis  and  constitution  are  here  inserted. 

CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  CONGREGATIONAL  CONFERENCE^OF  OHIO. 

1.  In  the  constituting  of  this  Conference,  each  local  Conference  or 
Association,  approving  the  basis  herein  proposed,  shall  be  entitled  to 


Opposition  of  CoNOREnATioNALisM.  211 

send  as  many  delegates  as  there  are  churches  connected  with  it,  not 
less  than  one  half  of  the  delegates  appointed  being  lay  members,  and 
each  church  which,  from  present  existing  circumstances,  remains  inde- 
pendent and  which  accedes  to  the  basis  of  polity  and  doctrine  herein 
laid  down,  shall  also  be  entitled  to  one  delegate,  and  this  delegate  shall 
be  a  lay  member  as  often  as  each  alternate  year, 

2.  The  Officers  of  this  Conference  shall  be  a  Moderator  and  Scribe, 
to  be  elected  annually  by  ballot,  and  also  a  Register  to  hold  his  office 
for  three  years  and  until  his  successor  shall  be  elected ;  and  he  shall 
be  ex  officio  a  member  of  the  Conference, 

3.  Ordained  ministers  and  laymen  of  evangelical  churches  who  may 
be  present  at  the  meetings  of  this  body,  may  be  invited  to  sit  as  cor- 
responding members. 

4.  The  objects  of  this  Conference  shall  be  to  promote  harmony 
and  intercourse  among  the  churches  of  the  State  and  to  secure  a  more 
extensive  co-operation  in  every  good  work. 

5.  The  several  local  Conferences  shall  retain  their  individual  rights 
and  privileges,  and  no  ecclesiastical  power  or  authority  shall  ever  be 
assumed  by  the  Conference  or  be  delegated  to  it. 

6.  Q  his  Conference  shall  meet  on  the  third  Tuesday  of  June,  annu- 
ally, at  7  o'clock,  P.  M. 

7.  This  Conference  shall  establish  its  own  Bye-laws  and  Regula- 
tions, subject  to  alterations  at  the  future  meetings. 

8.  The  Conference  may  interchange  friendly  correspondence  with 
other  religious  bodies. 

9.  At  each  meeting  of  the  Conference,  a  first  and  second  preacher 
for  the  next  meeting  shall  be  chosen. 

10.  Any  local  Conference  or  church  may  withdraw  from  this  body 
by  assigning  the  reasons  in  writing,  to  the  Secretary. 

11.  The  Constitution  of  this  Conference  except  the  fifth  article,  may 
be  altered  at  the  annual  meetings  of  this  body,  by  two-thirds  of  the 

•members. 

PREAMBLE    AND    DOCTRINAL    BASIS. 

Believing  that  the  time  has  come  for  the  formation  of  a  State  organi- 


212  The    Plan    of    Union. 

zation  among  the  Congregationalists  of  Ohio,  which  shall  secure  har- 
mony of  sentiment  and  co-operation  of  action,  we,  in  convention 
assembled,  recommend  the  system  of  a  General  Conference,  established 
on  the  following  doctrinal  basis,  which  we  understand  to  be,  for  sub- 
stance of  doctrine,  in  harmony  with  the  Westminster  Shorter  Catechism 
and  with  the  system  currently  know  as  New  England  divinity. 

DOCTRINAL    BASIS. 

We  believe  that  there  is  one  only  living  and  true  God,  self-existent 
and  infinite  in  every  perfection,  the  Creator,  Preserver,  and  Governor 
of  the  Universe. 

That  God  is  revealed  in  the  Scriptures,  as  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Ghost :  that  these  three  are  in  essence  one,  and  in  all  divine  attributes 
equal. 

That  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  are  the  word  of 
God,  given  by  inspiration,  and  are  the  only  unerring  rule  of  faith  and 
practice. 

That  man  was  at  first  in  a  state  of  perfection ;  from  which  he  fell 
by  transgressing  the  divine  commands ;  and  that  in  consequence  of  his 
disobedience,  the  hearts  of  all  men,  until  renewed  by  divine  grace,  are 
without  holiness  and  wholly  alienated  from  God. 

That  man,  as  a  sinner,  deserves  the  curse  of  God,  which  is  eternal 
death ;  that  he  can  make  no  atonement  for  his  sins,  nor  in  any  way 
deliver  himself  from  the  just  penalty  of  the  divine  law. 

That  God  has,  by  the  death  of  his  Son,  provided  an  ample  atone- 
ment for  the  sins  of  the  world  ;  that  salvation  is  freely  offered  to  all ; 
and  that  all  who  truly  repent  and  believe  in  Christ  shall  be  saved  ;  and 
that  those  who  reject  the  gospel  will  perish  through  their  own  impeni- 
tence and  unbelief. 

That  the  hearts  of  men  are  so  desperately  wicked  and  averse  to  God 
and  holiness,  that  if  left  to  themselves,  they  will  with  one  accord  re- 
ject the  offers  of  pardon  through  Christ  and  perish,  but  that  God,   in  • 
the  soverignty  of  his  love  and  to  magnify  the  riches  of  his  grace,  has 
from  all  eternity  purposed  to  bring  an  innumerable  multitude  to  re- 


Opposition  of  Congregationalism.  213 

pentance  and  finally  to  glory  ;  and  that  all  who  are  saved  will  owe 
their  salvation  to  the  mercy  of  God  alone,  and  not  to  any  works  or 
merits  of  their  own. 

That  without  a  change  of  heart  effected  by  the  agency  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  no  one  can  be  an  heir  of  eternal  life  ;  and  that  all  who  have 
been  thus  renewed  will  be  kept  by  the  power  of  God  through  faith 
unto  salvation. 

That  Jesus  Christ  has  a  true  church  in  the  world,  consisting  of  those 
who  are  friends  to,  and  believers  in,  Him,  and  that  all  such,  on  a  visible 
profession  of  their  faith,  have  a  right  to  its  sealing  ordinances  (baptism 
and  the  Lord's  Supper)  and  to  baptize  their  infant  offspring. 

That  the  Christian  Sabbath  is  an  institution  of  divine  appointment, 
and  its  observance  of  perpetual  obligation. 

That  Jesus  Christ  will  appear  at  the  end  of  time  to  raise  the  dead 
and  judge  the  world,  and  that  all  shall  then  receive  a  sentence  of  just 
and  final  retribution,  the  wicked  be  doomed  to  endless  punishment  and 
the  righteous  received  to  life  everlasting. 

The  constitution  and  basis  of  the  Huron  Congregational 
Conference  is  also  subjoined;  which  was  organized  in  1852  as 
an  auxiliary  to  the  State  Conference.  This  Conference  embraces 
the  Oberlin  brethren  of  Lorain,  Huron  and  Erie  Counties. 
The  reader  may  compare  it  with  that  of  the  *'  General  Asso- 
ciation" of  1836. 

'  CONSTITUTION. 

1.  The   name   shall   be   The    Huron    Congregational   Conference. 

2.  Its  objects  shall  be  to  promote  Christian  harmony  and  inter- 
co\u"se  among  both  ministers  and  churches  and  to  secure  a  more  effec- 
tive co-operation  in  every  good  work.  It  shall  not  curtail  the  absolute 
control  of  the  churches  embraced  within  it  over  their  own  discipline, 
or  their  relations  to  their  pastors,  and  it  shall  neither  assume  nor  ac- 
cept any  ecclesiastical  authority. 


214  The  Plan  or  Union. 

?>.  Any  minister  in  good  standing  in  some  local  church,  may  become 
a  member  of  this  Conference  by  consenting  to  its  doctrinal  basis  as 
containing  substantially  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible,  and  by  signing  his 
name  to  the  constitution. 

4.  Any  Congregational  Church  may  become  associated  with  this 
body  whose  articles  of  faith  agree  substantially  with  its  doctrinal  basis ; 
and  every  church  thus  associated  shall  be  entitled  to  two  delegates  at 
any  meeting  of  the  Conference. 

5.  Either  churches  or  ministers  (being  in  good  standing  in  the 
Conference)  may  dissolve  their  connection  with  this  body  at  their  writ- 
ten request. 

6.  The  officers  of  this  Conference  shall  be  a  Moderator,  Scribe, 
Register,  and  Treasurer,  the  two  former  to  be  elected  annually,  and 
the  two  latter  at  the  discretion  of  the  Conference,  and  all  by  ballot. 

7.  The  Conference,  when  organized,  shall  make  its  own  Bye-Laws 
and  appoint  its  own  meetings. 

8.  This  Constitution  may  be  amended  at  any  annual  meeting,  by 
a  majority  of  two  thii'ds  of  the  members  present. 

DOCTRINAL    BASIS. 

This  embraces  the  following  points  of  belief : 

1.  That  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  were  given  by 
inspiration  of  God,  and  are  the  only  unerring  rule  of  faith  and  practice. 

2.  That  the  Lord  our  God  is  one  Lord,  the  Creator  and  the  Ruler 
of  the  universe ;  and  that  He  reveals  Himself  to  us  in  the  Scriptures 
as  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  each  possessing  all  divine 
perfections. 

3.  That  by  the  disobedience  of  one  man,  sin  entered  our  world, 
and  that  previously  to  regeneration,  all  moral  agents  of  the  race  are 
enemies  to  God  by  wicked  works,  and  their  moral  character  is  there- 
fore entirely  sinful. 

4 .  That  all  sin  is  transgression  of  the  law  of  God,  and  deserves 
eternal  death. 

5.  That  the  Son  of  God  became  incarnate,  and  by  his   sacrificial 


Opposition  of  Congregationalism.  215 

death  made  an  ample  atonement  for  the  sins  of  the  ■world,  thus  ensur- 
ing salvation  to  those,  and  those  only,  who  repent  and  believe  in  his 
name. 

6.  That  all  men  are  averse  to  God  and  holiness  ;  that,  left  to  them- 
selves, none  ever  repent  and  believe  in  Christ ;  that  hence  there  arises 
a  necessity  for  the  interposing  moral  power  of  the  divine  Spirit  to 
renew  and  sanctify  ;  and  that  even  Christians  owe  their  perseverance  in 
a  holy  life,  as  well  as  their  regeneration,  to  the  sovereign  grace  of  God. 

7.  That,  hence,  salvation  is  indeed  all  of  grace ;  yet  that  true 
faith  works  by  love,  and  is  evinced  by  sincere  obedience  to  all  the 
known  will  of  God. 

8.  That  the  provisions  of  gospel  grace  are  purposely  made  so  ample 
that  victory  over  the  world  and  sin  is  attainable  by  faith. 

9.  That  the  moral  law  is  essentially  embraced  in  the  gospel  and  en- 
forced with  even  enhanced  obligation. 

10.  That  baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper  are  the  ordinances  of  the 
Christian  church,  and  that  all  who  profess  faith  in  Christ  and  lead  a 
correspondingly  blameless  life,  are  entitled  to  its  fellowship  and  ordi- 
nances. 

11.  That  God  has  ordained  the  Christian  Sabbath  to  be  perpetual. 

12.  That  at  the  end  of  time  Christ  will  appear,  to  raise  the  dead, 
judge  all  the  race,  and  award  to  the  holy,  everlasting  life  in  heaven, 
but  to  the  wicked,  everlasting  punishment  in  hell. 

The  question  now  arises,  why  no  efforts,  to  build  up  a  large 
and  eflScient  Congregational  body  on  the  Reserve,  have  as  yet 
been  successful. 

The  causes  are  several,  and  are  to  be  found,  partly^  in  the 
genius  of  Congregationalism  itself,  which  is  antagonistic  to 
strong  and  extended  co-operative  organizations.  The  churches 
planted  in  the  wilderness  felt  strongly  the  need  of  sympathy 
and  co-operation,  and  therefore  naturally  sought  association 
with  the  nearest  Christian  organizations  of  kindred  spirit,  and 


216  The   Plan    of    Union. 

naturally  joined  in  building  up  such  institutions  of  their  own, 
as  would  unite  and  harmonize  them. 

There  have  been  adequate  material  and  effort  here ;  but  the 
modified  Presbyterianism  of  the  region  has  proved  too  strong 
and  too  well  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the  people,  to  give  way 
before  any  thing  else. 

The  indejiniteness  and  variety  of  Congregationalism  in  the 
West  has  also  operated  against  its  success.  Some  have  advo- 
cated Independency;  others,  Associations;  others, Consociations. 
Some  would  have  a  Calvinistic  creed;  others,  a  creed  Semi- 
Arminian ;  and  still  others  would  adopt  a  basis  which  would 
embrace  every  body  calling  themselves  Christian.  Without 
unity  there  can  not  be  strength. 

The  character  of  those  icho  labored  for  exclusive  Congrega- 
tionalisrti  has  also  operated  against  their  success. 

They  have  not  generally  been  men  long  acquainted  with 
the  churches  of  the  Reserve ;  nor  men  who  had  obtained  any 
strong  hold  upon  the  people.  Generally  they  had  but  a  par- 
tial acquaintance  with  the  field  and  the  material  upon  which 
they  were  to  work.  Coming  with  strong  denominational  pre- 
judices, full  of  zeal,  confident  of  their  own  abilities;  and  find- 
ing some  few  "  old  settlers"  to  sympathize  with  and  encourage 
them,  they  have  rashly  begun  to  build  without  having  counted 
the  cost,  and  invariably  found  that  they  had  not  wherewith  to 
finish. 

The  rash  zeal  of  the  Oherlin  hrethreriy  also,  did  much  to 
prejudice  the  cause  of  Congregationalism,  both  on  the  Reserve 
and  abroad.  The  policy  of  purposely  dividing  churches,  and 
organizing  rivals  where  there  were  scarce  materials  for  a  sin- 


Opposition  of  Congregationalism.  217 

gle  organization ;  carried,  as  this  policy  was,  to  the  dismember- 
ment even  of  independent  Congregational  churches;  making 
two  or  three  questions  of  moral  reform,  and  as  many  doctrinal 
dogmas  of  questionable  truth,  paramount  to  all  other  interests 
of  Christ's  kingdom,  could  but  work  disaster  to  all  concerned. 
It  will  take  ages  to  wash  away  the  stain  and  odium,  and  heal 
the  evils,  wrought  by  that  short  sighted  and  schismatical  pol- 
icy. The  policy  is  no  longer  practiced ;  but  there  are  regions 
upon  the  Reserve,  which  were  so  des  ilated  by  it,  that  long 
culture,  and  much  toil,  and  rich  showers  of  grace  alone  can 
bring  them  back  to  fertility.  It  is  a  matter  for  thanksgiving 
to  Grod  that  the  Oberlin  brethren  have  at  length  discovered, 
that  the  way  to  unite  Christians  and  churches,  is  not  to  break 
up  all  existing  unions,  and  shatter  to  pieces  churches  and  ec- 
clesiastical bodies,  and  fetch  back  chaos,  in  order  to  begin  the 
world  anew.  The  Plan  of  Union  tolerated  minor  differences, 
yet  adhered  to  the  orthodox  standards,  and  secured  an  efficient 
co-operative  polity.  The  Oberlin  plan  tore  away  doctrine  and 
polity,  and  proposed  only  to  construct  a  conglomerate,  ignor- 
ing vital  disagreements ;  clamoring  for  universal  brotherhood, 
yet  scattering  universal  discord. 

But,  a  prominent  reason,  still  existing,  why  purely  Congre- 
gational organizations  cannot  succeed  on  the  Reserve,  is  found 
in  the  existence  of  the  Presbyteries,  which  constitute  an  ade- 
quate Congregational  machinery  for  all  but  zealous  sectarians. 
Most  of  the  churches  and  people  have  felt  that  the  Presbyte- 
ries subserved  the  purposes  of  a  bond  of  union  to  unite  or 
consociate  them ;  a  council  to  advise ;  and  an  association  to 
guard  the  doctrinal  purity  of  the  churches  and  ministry,  with- 
19 


218  The    Plan    or    Union. 

out  exercising  over  them  any  oppressive  control  or  tyranny. 
The  majority  have  been  contented  and  satisfied  with  the  origi- 
nal organizations,  —  have  loved  and  clung  to  them ;  and  so 
doing,  the  latter  could  not  be  superseded.  And  had  it  not 
been  for  the  continued  outcries  and  agitations  of  a  few  over- 
zealous  propagandists,  the  churches  might  have  enjoyed  un- 
turbeed  peace,  and  the  Synod  have  gathered  up  and  united 
in  fraternal  concord  nearly  all  the  churches  of  the  Reserve. 

New  England  Congregationalism,  in  New  England,  is  admir- 
able ;  but  in  mixed  communities,  where  there  is  no  unity  of 
sentiment,  where  all  manner  of  wild  opinions  and  movements 
abound,  and  where  a  different  polity  has  pre-occupied  the  soil, 
it  cannot  accomplish  what  it  does  in  New  England.  And  the 
difficulty  is  necessarily  increased  where  all  varieties  of  Congre- 
gationalism attempt  to  occupy  the  same  field. 

And  why  should  not  the  Reserve  cherish  its  own  original 
ecclesiasticism,  as  well  as  New  England  or  New  Jersey  ?  Why 
shall  any  imported  polity  be  forced  in,  where  there  already 
exists  a  system  capable  of  answering  all  demands,  and  having, 
by  thirty  years  unsurpassed  fruitfulness,  proved  itself  a  true 
and  healthy  agent  ? 

The  better  portion  of  the  Reserve  churches  took  the  Plan  of 
Union  as  a  finality ;  and  they  will  adhere  to  it.  Repeatedly 
it  has  been  proved  that  no  general  interest  can  be  awakened, 
either  for  pure  Congregationalism  or  pure  Presbyterianism,  as 
an  Ism,  and  an  opponent  of  the  native  institutions  of  the  re- 
gion. No  High  Churchism  can  flourish  in  this  soil,  whatever 
be  its  type ;  nor  can  any  outcries  against  co-operative  institu- 
tions, prevent  the  co-operation  of  those  who  were  born  and 


Opposition   of   Congregationalism.  219 

bred  together,  and  feel  themselves  one  in  Christ.  And  the 
minister,  the  layman,  and  the  periodical,  which  make  denomi- 
nationalism  least  prominent,  and  Christian  charity  most  prom- 
inent, will  here  be  most  successful. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  AGAINST  THE  PLAN 
OF  UNION. 
The  Plan  of  Union  was  promulgated  by  the  General  As- 
sembly in  1801.  During  thirty  years  it  was  believed  to  work 
admirably,  and  under  it  many  new  regions  were  evangelized. 
About  the  time,  however,  that  Unionism,  Radicalism,  Ober- 
ism  and  other  Isms  began  to  work  upon  the  Reserve, 
many  of  the  Presbyterian  brethren  at  a  distance,  not  un- 
derstanding the  precise  attitude  of  things  in  this  region, 
nor  discriminating  between  the  noisy  and  anomalous  agitators 
of  the  time,  and  the  orderly  and  conservative  body  of  the 
churches,  became  greatly  alarmed  and  scandalized ;  and  began 
to  lament  that  they  had  taken  troublesome  boarders  into  the 
family.  It  now  began  to  be  suspected,  either  that  the  Plan  of 
Union  was  a  great  error,  or  that  the  Synod  of  the  Reserve  and 
others  aflEiliated  with  it,  had  widely  departed  from  their  lawful 
privileges  and  obligations ;  and  it  was  openly  rumored  that  there 
were  heresies  in  doctrine  and  irregularities  in  practice  wholly 
inconsistent  with  Presbyterianism. 

(220) 


Action  of  the  General  Assembly.  221 

These  complaints  called  out  an  article  in  April,  183S,  writ- 
ten by  Rev.  J.  Treat,  and  published  in  the  Observer,  entitled 
^^  Presbyter}/  of  Portage  vindicated.^' 

The  article  notices  charges  made  against  the  '^orthodoxy 
and  the  integrity"  of  that  Presbytery.  The  charge  of  hetero- 
doxy the  writer  deemed  unworthy  of  notice,  until  it  should  be 
shown  that  the  Presbytery  had  departed  from  the  principles 
upon  which  it  was  organized,  and  which  were  sanctioned  by 
the  Synod  of  Pittsburg,  when  that  body  recognized  it. 

The  charge  of  disingenuousness  related  mainly  to  the  fact, 
that  the  Presbytery  was  governed  partly  ^'  by  rules  of  its  own 
making,"  and  had  in  it  Congregational  churches ;  the  accusers 
claiming  that  it  pretended  to  be  Presbyterian  when  it  joined 
the  Synod,  but  that  it  was  now  virtually  a  Congregational 
body. 

To  this  charge  Mr.  Treat  replied  that  the  Presbytery  was 
*'  the  same  thing  now  that  it  was  at  its  formation,"  and  when 
received  by  the  Pittsburgh  Synod.  The  Presbytery  always 
professed  to  be  governed  by  its  own  rules ;  rules,  based  upon 
the  Plan  of  Union,  by  which  the  churches  were  permitted  to 
adopt  either  the  Presbyterian  or  Congregational  form  of  gov- 
ernment, and  to  be  represented  in  Presbytery  by  delegates. 
These  rules,  moreover,  were,  in  October,  1818,  presented  to 
the  Synod  of  Pittsburg,  and  by  the  Synod  submitted  to  an  able 
committee,  who  reported  in  their  favor,  and  also  in  favor  of 
the  orthodoxy  of  the  Presbytery.  That  committee's  report  was 
unanimously  adopted  by  the  Synod.  This  peculiarity  of  the 
Presbytery,  he  continues,  had  also  been  fairly  presented  to  the 
General  Assembly  3  particularly  in  a  statement  sent  up  to  the 
19* 


222  The  Plan   or  Union. 

Assembly  in  1821,  in  answer  to  an  overture  to  the  Presbyte- 
ries respecting  the  ''revised  form  of  government  and  forms  of 
process.'' 

Thus  commenced  the  agitation  which  resulted  in  the  excision 
of  1837.  We  discern  two  specific  accusations  in  the  original 
complaints.  Both  of  these,  and  several  other  considerations, 
had  their  influence  in  producing  the  final  issue. 

The  Presbyteries  and  Synod  doubtless  had  the  reputation  of 
much  that  did  not  belong  to  them ;  and  ever  have  been,  to 
a  certain  extent,  identified,  by  persons  at  a  distance,  with  many 
of  the  principles  and  movements  against  which  they  were  most 
earnestly  contending.  To  this  day,  there  are  many  Presbyte- 
rians in  different  parts  of  the  country,  who  never  discriminate 
between  the  Oberlin  Congregationalism,  and  the  Congregation- 
alism embraced  in  the  Presbyteries ;  and  who  have  no  appre- 
hension of  a  strong,  orderly,  Calvinistic  body  on  the  Reserve, 
such  as  the  Synod  has  ever  been.  The  excision  was  in  part 
brought  about  through  misapprehensions  of  this  sort.  Had 
the  General  Assembly  made  a  thorough  investigation,  and 
learned  the  prevailing  theology,  spirit  and  aim  of  the  Synod, 
and  its  precise  attitude  relative  to  the  evils  complained  of,  its 
course  would  probably  have  been  diff"erent. 

Yet  there  were  causes  operating,  which  probably  must,  in 
time,  have  resulted  in  a  division  of  the  Presbyterian  church ; 
and  the  Plan  of  Union  was  made  a  scape  goat  upon  which  to 
lay  the  sins  of  revolution  and  schism. 

In  the  first  place,  there  was  a  groioing  denominational  feel- 
ing in  the  Presbyterian  churcJi,  which  no  longer  cherished  the 
charitable  spirit  out  of  which  the  Plan  of  Union  grew.     A 


Action   of  the  General  Assembly.  223 

large  proportion  of  that  body  were  tired  of  the  co  operative 
benevolent  Societies,  and  anxious  to  control  exclusively  their 
own  missionary  operations,  and  appropriate  the  fruits.  The 
work  of  missions  had  now  become  a  very  different  thing,  from 
what  it  had  been  in  the  year  1801 ;  and  the  General  Assembly 
no  longer  felt  dependent  upon  the  Connecticut  Missionary  So- 
ciety, to  support  its  missionaries. 

There  was  also  a  strong  sectional  feel'uKj  which  had  its  in- 
fluence in  producing  the  schism.  The  General  Assembly,  par- 
ticularly in  the  year  of  excision,  was  largely  controlled  by 
southern  men,  full  of  indignation  against  the  anti-slavery  en- 
thusiasm, which  was  burning  fiercest  in  the  regions  covered  by 
the  obnoxious  Synods.  The  Synod  of  the  Reserve  was  known 
to  be  largely  anti-slavery  in  its  elements  and  spirit,  and  this 
intensified  the  local  prejudice,  which  was  partly  generated  by 
other  causes. 

Doctrinal  peculiarities  were  much  harped  upon ;  and  cer- 
tainly there  was  some  occasion  for  complaint.  But  no  one, 
who  has  been  intimately  acquainted  with  the  Western  Rieserve 
Synod,  and  with  the  predominant  theology  of  the  Old  School 
Presbyterian  Church,  can  avoid  the  conclusion  that  the  outcry 
about  doctrines  has  been  mainly,  either  a  misapprehension,  or 
a  device  by  which  to  justify  and  gratify  prejudices,  founded 
upon  something  else. 

At  the  time  when  the  disaffection  began,  there  were  a  few 
Congregationalists  in  the  Presbyteries  who  held  doctrines  re- 
pugnant to  all  staid  Presbyterians.  We  have  before  noticed 
the  practice  of  receiving  Congregational  ministers  upon  certifi- 
cate, in  the  same  manner  that  members  from  one  Presbytery 


224  The  Plan  of    Union. 

were  received  into  another.  By  this  means,  certain  ministers 
from  New  England,  who  had  adopted  the  views  of  Professor 
Taylor,  of  New  Haven ;  some  of  the  Oberlin  men  also,  and 
perhaps  a  few  others  in  bad  odor  amongst  strict  Calvinists, 
had  come  into  the  Synod.  Many  of  the  ministers  in  this  re- 
gion were  also  inclined  to  what  has  since  been  called  the  New 
School  Theology;  though  scarcely  any  two  persons  could  agree 
in  a  definition  of  that  great  heresy;  and  to  this  day  it  remains 
a  profound  mystery  to  most  persons,  what  the  real  difference, 
between  New  and  Old  School  Theology,  is. 

That  the  prevailing  theology  of  the  churches  and  ministers, 
embraced  in  the  Western  Reserve  Synod,  had  no  affinity  either 
with  Taylorism  or  Oberlinism,  is  very  certain.  And  nothing 
could  have  been  more  unjust  than  to  repudiate  the  Synod  on 
account  of  the  small  amount  of  elements  of  that  character  em- 
braced in  it;  particularly  when,  as  at  the  time  of  the  excision, 
those  elements  were  fast  separating,  and  collecting  elsewhere, 
according  to  their  native  affinities. 

It  is  therefore  to  be  admitted,  that  the  Plan  of  Union  had 
introduced  temporarily,  a  small  heterodox  element  into  the 
fellowship  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  But  that  the  Synod, 
as  such,  was  heterodox,  or  the  objectionable  elements  extensive 
enough  to  justify  the  excision  of  the  whole,  could  only  be  be- 
lieved by  those  who  were  misinformed.  As  such,  the  Synod 
has  ever  been  strictly  Calvinistic,  adhering  to  the  doctrinal 
standards  of  the  Assembly's  Confession  and  Catechism,  and 
maintaining  Presbyterian  discipline  and  order,  so  far  as  was 
consistent  with  the  Plan  of  Compromise  upon  which  it  was 
based. 


Action  of  the   General  Assembly.  225 

The  church  of  the  Reserve  adhered  to  that  Plan,  was  faith- 
ful to  it,  and  was  determined  to  adhere  to  it  ever.  The  Gen- 
eral Assembly  was  tired  of  that  Plan,  determined  to  get  free 
from  it ;  and  violently  repudiated  it  and  all  that  had  grown  up 
under  it. 

The  point  most  insisted  upon  by  the  General  Assembly,  at 
the  time  of  the  excision,  and  which  stands  in  the  records  as 
the  prime  rock  of  offense,  was  the  original  unconstitutionality 
of  the  act  of  the  Assembly  which  first  endorsed  the  Plan  of 
Union. 

It  certainly  was  an  anomaly  in  Presbyterianism.  But  there 
ever  will  be  those,  who  will  wonder  how  the  Assembly  of  1837 
happened  to  be  so  much  wiser  and  more  constitutional  than 
the  Assemblies  which  had,  for  thirty-six  years,  preceded  it. 
And  particularly  must  it  be  regarded  as  strange,  that  the  dis- 
covery of  unconstitutionality  was  not  made  when  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  Presbyterian  Church  was  revised  and  adopted, 
almost  created,  twenty  years  after  the  Plan  of  Union  was  in 
operation. 

The  particularly  odious  feature  in  the  practical  working  of 
that  Plan,  was  the  admission  of  Congregational  Deacons  and 
committee  men  into  ecclesiastical  bodies,  upon  equality  of 
privilege  with  Elders  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

But  it  is  not  in  accordance  with  the  true  spirit  of  Presbyte- 
rianism to  lay  so  much  stress  upon  the  ceremony  of  ordination, 
as  to  look  with  horror  upon  an  officer  appointed  in  another 
church  to  fulfil  the  same  offices,  and  chosen  for  like  virtues, 
standing  in  very  nearly  the  same  relationship  to  the  church, 
as  the  Presbyterian  Elder,  even  if  appointed  in  a  slightly  dif- 


226  The    Plan    opUnion. 

ferent  way.  There  was  evidently  an  unnecessary  and  invidi- 
ous nicety  of  discrimination  used  here.  An  acquaintance  with 
both  the  officers  of  consociated  Congregational  Churches  and 
Presbyterian  Elders,  discloses  no  such  dissimilarity  as  renders 
their  co-operation  impracticable  in  ecclesiasticism.  It  can  not 
be  possible  that  Presbyterial  action  was  vitiated  by  the  parti- 
cipation of  such  representatives  of  Congregational  churches  as 
were  introduced  by  the  Plan  of  Union.  An  unprejudiced  ex- 
amination of  the  whole  subject,  shows  that  the  real  grounds 
of  division  were,  High  Church  denominationalism,  a  dislike  of 
the  co-operative  benevolent  institutions,  particularly  the  Home 
Missionary  Society,  a  fear  of  the  democratic  tendencies  of  Con- 
gregationalism, and  an  undue  apprehension  of  the  extent  of 
Armenian  doctrines  and  irregularities  in  practice,  introduced 
into  the  Synod  under  the  Union. 

Had  a  judicious  effort  been  made,  these  irregularities  might 
have  been  corrected,  and  these  heterodox  elements  expurgated 
(as  they  soon  after  indeed  worked  themselves  out),  without 
the  excision.  Yet  there  probably  never  could  have  been 
complete  harmony  between  the  elements  that  separated,  be- 
tween co-operative  and  exclusive  Presbyterians ;  and  sooner  or 
later  a  division  was  unavoidable. 

Of  the  particular  methods  by  which  the  excision  was  brought 
about,  it  is  not  necessary  to  speak.  No  union  so  intimate  and 
of  such  long  standing,  can  be  violently  sundered,  without 
strategy  and  counter  strategy  and  cruelty  and  unrighteousness. 
But  the  end,  deliverance  from  the  Union,  being  predetermined, 
means  would  be  found  in  time  to  consummate  it.  They  were 
found  and  used.     And  the  unsuspecting  family  of  churches, 


Action    of   the   Gteneral   Assembly.  227 

that  had  grown  up  under  that  Union,  without  suspicion  of 
illegitimacy  or  consciousness  of  oflfense,  were  suddenly  appalled 
to  fine  themselyes  cast  out  as  children  of  the  bond-woman,  not 
only  without  name  or  inheritance,  but  branded  as  infamous. 
It  is  naturally  impossible  for  those  Avho  were  thus  rejected, 
ever  to  feel  that  they  were  treated  kindly  or  even  civilly,  much 
less  in  a  christian  spirit ;  though  they  may,  and  should,  forgive 
the  excesses  of  sectarian  zeal. 

It  is  probable,  that  those  who  produced  the  excision,  "  verily 
thought  they  did  God  service  thereby.^'  And  doubtless  there 
was  a  wise  providence,  though  unseen,  directing  the  movement. 
It  is  perhaps  better  that  the  two  great  branches  of  Presbyteri- 
anism,  representing  two  distinct  phases  of  the  age  in  which  we 
live,  should  be  separate  and  free,  each,  to  develop,  its  peculiar 
spirit  and  tendencies,  rather  than  to  cripple  each  other,  and 
neutralize  their  strength  and  efforts,  in  vain  contentions.  There 
was  a  destiny  that  drove  them  asunder.  Let  them  forget  the 
past,  and  exercise  henceforth  towards  each  other  the  charities 
which  the  Gospel  requires. 


CHAPTER   V 


CONCLUSION    OF    ECCLESIASTICISM. 

It  might  have  been  expected  that  after  the  excision,  the 
rejected  Synods  would  have  resolved  themselves  into  their 
separate  native  elements,  and  the  Congregationalists  and  Pres- 
byterians, have  sought  each  connections  with  which  they  would 
naturally  better  affiliate.  But  they  were  too  strongly  united, 
and  had  a  life  of  their  own  too  vigorous  to  be  dissipated. 

After  much  perplexity,  prayer  and  deliberation,  the  new 
Assembly  was  formed.  The  Synod  lived,  the  Presbyteries  and 
churches  lived ;  the  Plan  of  Union  lived  ;  co-operative,  chari- 
table, American  Presbyterianism  and  Congregationalism  lived ; 
and  worked,  and  advanced  more  rapidly  than  before. 

Yet,  let  it  not  be  imagined  that  these  agitations  and  rputures 
produced  no  serious  injury.  It  was  not  possible  for  an  eccle- 
siasticism  thus  beset,  on  one  side  by  hostile  Independency,  and 
on  the  other  by  as  hostile  Presbyterianism,  to  accomplish  the 
work  it  might  have  done,  if  let  alone.  The  excision  took  off 
a  few  churches  to  the  Old  School  body.  The  loss  in  this  way 
was  trifling.  But  the  confidence  destroyed,  afi'ections  alienated, 
plans  frustrated,  and  prospects  blighted,  time  cannot  wholly 

(228) 


Conclusion  of  Ecclesiasticism.     229 

repair.  But  the  Congregational  disaffection  and  hostility  has 
really  been  much  more  injurious  to  the  Union  Synod,  than  the 
Presbyterian  excision.  The  Presbyterian  opposition  came 
openly  and  suddenly  in  one  concentrated  storm.  When  that 
had  passed,  and  serenity  was  restored,  nothing  more  was  to  be 
apprehended,  from  that  quarter.  Presbyterians  living  on  the 
Reserve  have  never  much  troubled  existing  things.  But  the 
Congregational  schism,  rooting  into  the  soil,  and  breaking  out 
hereand  there  almost  yearly,  in  some  new  eruption,  has  contin- 
ued to  eat  away  the  life  and  vigor  of  the  Synod. 

By  this  agency,  many  of  the  churhes  have  been  weakened 
and  distracted,  and  all  more  or  less  frustrated  in  their  labors. 
We  do  not  impugn  the  motives  of  those  who  have  pushed  di- 
vision, but  we  believe  their  zeal  was  '^  not  according  to  know- 
ledge.'' Nor  can  we  justify  those  who  have  merely  stood  alooflf 
in  sullen  isolation,  refusing  to  co-operate  with  other  churches. 
They  have  suffered,  and  the  cause  of  Christ  has  suffered  by  this 
exclusiveness. 

In  conclusion  something  must  be  said  relative  to  the  pros- 
pects of  the  Synod. 

It  is  common  for  sectarians,  on  both  sides,  to  speak  of  the 
Plan  of  Union  as  about  defunct,  and  soon  to  vanish  away. 
Many  anticipate  the  dissolution  of  the  Western  Reserve  Synod, 
and  others  similarly  constituted,  if  not  of  the  New  School  As- 
sembly; and  expect  to  see  the  Presbyterial  element  return  per- 
haps to  the  Old  School  body,  and  the  Congregational  come  out 
as  pure  Congregationalists.  A  thorough  acquaintance  with 
these  bodies  however,  warrants  no  such  anticipations.  The 
Plan  of  Union  is  to  day  a  living  reality,  as  vigorous  in  many 
20 


230  The    Plan    of    Union. 

places,  as  it  was  twenty  years  ago.  Neither  Young  Presbytery 
on  the  one  side,  nor  Young  Independency  on  the  other,  at  all 
disturbs  the  stable  churches  that  have  grown  and  worked  fra- 
ternally together,  for  a  third  of  a  century,  and  more.  The 
fickle  and  restless,  the  sectarian  and  radical,  may  change  and 
agitate.  The  Synod  may  be  yet  more  diminished  :  and  new 
rivals  may  arise ;  the  Old  School  body  may  reclaim  a  few :  In- 
dependency may  win  a  few ;  but  most  of  the  churches  and 
ministers  are  contented  with  the  Union  and  will  adhere  to  it. 
The  Anti- Slavery  agitation,  has  been  a  fruitful  theme  for 
disunionists.  By  a  false  interpretation  of  the  import  of  com- 
munion and  church  fellowship,  all  churches  and  Christians 
holding  any  connection  with  the  General  Assembly,  have  been 
constantly  accused  of  sanctioning  and  sustaining  Slavery.  The 
principle  is  simply  that  of  Garrisonian  disunion,  applied  to 
ecclesiasticism ;  a  principle  false  in  its  philosophy,  incendiary 
in  its  spirit,  and  pro-slavery  in  its  results.  The  Union  Synod 
and  Presbyteries  are  unqualifiedly  anti-slavery  in  sentiment, 
and  believe  that  they  are  accomplishing  more  for  the  cause  of 
freedom  by  their  present  position,  than^they  could  do  by  seces- 
sion. Weak  brethren,  and  unstable  churches  are  frequently 
befogged,  frenzied  and  led  away,  by  wild  disorganizers,  to  their 
own  injury  and  nobody's  benefit.  But  the  fanaticism  of  the 
anti-slavery  movement  has  mainly  passed,  and  all  the  North  is 
coming  to  a  rational  unity  of  sentiment  upon  this  subject,  which 
promises  to  lead  to  united  action,  by  which  something  better 
than  mere  froth  and  denunciation,  may  be  produced.  The  real 
sentiment  of  the  Beserve  upon  this  subject  is  one,  and  it  can 
not  be  that  churches  will  much  longer  foolishly  suflFer  them- 


Conclusion    of    Ecclesiasticism.      231 

selves  to  be  distracted  by  the  slight  differences  of  opinion  ex- 
isting relative  to  the  means  by  which  Slavery  should  be 
opposed. 

An  impoitant  modification  has  also  occurred  in  the  policy  of 
the  Oberlin,  or  Radical  Congregationalism  of  the  Reserve.  The 
division  of  churches  is  no  longer  pursued  as  a  leading  aim ; 
and  the  doctrinal  peculiarities  of  Mahan  and  Finney  attract 
little  attention.  A  visible  tendency  towards  at  least  modified 
Calvinism,  is  discernible  in  that  quarter;  or,  at  least,  a  weari- 
ness of  the  notoriety  and  singularity  that  once  seemed  to  be 
gloried  in.  Apostles  of  disunion  no  longer  traverse  the  land 
as  aforetime,  drawing  multitudes  after  them. 

In  short,  quietude  and  peace  are  returning,  and  as  a  conse- 
quence, churches  long  distracted  and  desolate  are  begining  to 
experience  rich  revivings  of  religion.  Men  begin  to  think 
once  more  about  their  souls,  and  the  Kingdom  of  God,  and  to 
remember  that  the  Lord  rules  over  the  world,  including  the 
Western  Reserve.  Reason,  faith,  hope  and  charity  are  not 
dead ;  and  there  are  tokens  that  a  better  day  is  dawning.  This 
field  has  been  unsurpassed  in  radicalism,  agitations,  novelties, 
and  excitements.  From  the  time  when  ranting  advocates  of 
'  Unionism,"  and  steam-engine  revivalists,  and  abolitionism, 
run  mad,  first  began  to  traverse  the  Reserve,  twenty  years  ago, 
to  this  day,  many  of  the  people  of  the  Reserve  have  been 
alternatly  roasted  and  chilled,  by  spiritual  "  chill-tever,"  which 
has  consumed  the  vigor  and  life  of  the  churches. 

Can  we  never  learn  that  agitation  is  not  refnim,  and  that 
denunciation,  secession,  reorganization  ana  excitement  do  not 
convert  sinners,  confirm  Christians,  nor  extend  religion,  nor 


232  The   Plan    or    Union. 

purify  the  church  ?  And  can  sectarian  propagandists  never 
discover  that  there  is  here  an  indigenous  ecclesiasticism,  adapted 
to  our  mixed  population,  deep-rooted  in  the  hearts  of  our  most 
stable  christians  and  churches,  fully  adequate  to  secure  freedom, 
progress,  efficiency,  and  stability,  and  happily  adjusted  to  the 
vital  principles  both  of  co-operative  Presbyterianism,  and  of 
consociated  Congregationalism  ? 

The  difficulties  in  our  churches  have  not  grown  out  of  the 
Plan  of  Union ;  but  out  of  the  High  Church  sectarianism  that 
has  on  either  side  opposed  it.  And  these  difficulties  are  to  be 
escaped  only  by  ceasing  to  denounce,  divide,  and  experiment 
with  new  organizations;  and  by  charitably  uniting  in,  and 
cherishing  the  natural  Union  which  love  to  Christ  begets,  and 
which  was  beautifully  illustrated  in  the  first  thirty  years  of  our 
history. 

God  be  praised,  that  these  truths  are  becoming  appreciated  by 
our  people,  and  that  a  reaction  in  favor  of  peace  and  order  and 
devotion  to  the  spiritual,  rather  than  the  external  and  carnal, 
has  commenced.  May  the  rising  light  increase  and  blaze  into 
the  perfect  day,  and  God's  Spirit  come  back  and  baptize  all  our 
churches  with  new  life  and  love. 


CHAPTER  VI- 


EDUCATIONAL  MEASURES  AND  INSTITUTIONS. 

The  enterprising,  intelligent  and  pious  settlers  of  the  West- 
ern Reserve,  early  manifested  a  deep  solicitude  for  the  edu- 
cation of  their  youth.  As  soon  as  settlements  were  large 
enough,  little  schools  were  collected  and  the  best  available 
teachers  employed. 

Very  soon  the  attention  of  the  people,  particularly  of  the 
ministers  and  pious  families,  was  directed  to  the  establishment 
of  an  institution  of  a  higher  order  than  the  common  school. 
Through  the  efforts  of  some  of  these  men,  who  had  at  heart 
ultimately  the  establishment  of  an  institution  adequate  to  the 
preparation  of  young  men  for  the  ministry,  an  act  was  passed  by 
the  Legislature  of  Ohio,  on  the  16th  of  April,  1803,  '^  incor- 
porating the  Trustees  of  the  Erie  Literary  Society."  These 
Trustees  were,  David  Hudson,  Eliphalet  Austin,  Henry  Cham- 
pion, John  Leavitt,  Martin  Smith,  Ephraim  Root,  Harmon 
Canfield,  John  Walworth,  John  S.  Edwards,  William  Hart, 
Turhand  Kirtland,  Solomon  Griswold  and  Rev.  Joseph  Badger. 
The  act  of  incorporation  gave  them  power  to  hold  property, 
20*  (233) 


234  The    Plan    op    Union. 

ereot  buildings  for  a  College  or  Academy,  determine  the  name 
of  the  Institution,  purchase  apparatus,  employ  instructors,  i.e. 
President,  Professors,  Tutors,  &c.;  have  a  common  seal,  and  fill 
their  own  vacancies. 

But  the  country  was  yet  too  new  and  the  settlers  too  limited 
in  resources  to  proceed  very  fast  with  such  a  project.  The 
Trustees  met  but  seldom,  and  for  many  years  confined  their 
efforts  to  the  attainment  of  a  fund  adequate  to  start  the  insti- 
tution. 

February  19,  1810,  the  Legislature  added  Eleazer  Hickcox 
and  Peter  Hitchcock  to  the  Board  of  Trustees.  No  regular 
records  were  kept  until  November  13,  1816.  At  that  time,  a 
meeting  was  held  at  "Warren.  From  the  minutes  of  that  meet- 
ing it  appears  that  T.  Kirtland  was  President  of  the  Board 
and  J.  Leavitt  Secretary.  Messrs.  Edward  Leavitt  and  Wal- 
worth had  died,  and  Mr.  Tomlinson,  Kev.  Luther  Humphrey 
and  Rev.  John  Seward  were  appointed  in  their  places.  Peter 
Hitchcock  was  appointed  Secretary,  and  continued  to  discharge 
the  duties  of  the  office  as  long  as  the  Board  continued  to  act. 
At  the  same  meeting,  Messrs.  Canfield  and  Smith  resigned, 
and  Rev.  Wm.  Hanford  and  Benjamin  Whedon  were  elected 
in  their  places. 

April,  1817,  the  Board  appointed  committees  from  their 
own  number,  to  solicit  donations.  The  enterprise  now  as- 
sumed a  more  religious  aspect.  August  22,  1817,  Eleazer 
Hickcox  was  appointed  agent  to  take  care  of  the  real  estate 
belong  to  the  Corporation,  and  D.  Hudson  was  associated  with 
him,  with  power  to  lease  the  real  estate  for  any  time  not  to 
exceed  twenty  years.     The  Secretary  was  directed  to  apply  to 


Fducational   Institutions.  235 

the  Legislature  for  a  remission  of  taxes,  penalties  and  interest 
due  upon  the  lands  of  the  Corporation. 

January  23,  1818,  an  act  was  passed  ''exempting  from  tax- 
ation the  lands  of  the  Erie  Literary  Society."  In  the  fall  of 
1817,  the  Trustees  voted  to  *'  erect  a  building  in  the  township 
of  Burton,  for  the  use  of  the  Corporation,'^  &c.  Voted  also 
*'  to  appoint  a  committee  of  five  to  examine  what  number  of 
scholars  can  be  procured  for  the  ensuing  winter,  and  if  a  suffi- 
cient number  offer,  to  employ  an  Instructor,  provided  a  suita- 
ble person  can  be  found." 

The  year  1817  also  gave  birth  to  another  educational  move- 
ment, designed  to  co-operate  with  the  institution,  to  be  started 
at  Burton. 

The  Grand  River  Presbytery,  at  a  meeting  in  Austinburg, 
February  12,  1817,  organized  itself  into  an  Educational  So- 
ciety, to  be  known  as  the   Grand  Rive?'  Education  Society. 

In  1818,  the  Prudential  Committee  of  this  Society,  in  the 
name  of  the  Trustees,  published  in  pamphlet  an  ''  Address," 
commending  the  objects  of  the  Society  to  the  *'  friends  of 
Science  and  Religion,"  earnestly  soliciting  co-operation  by  in- 
dividuals and  by  ''Auxiliary  Societies."  At  this  time,  they 
reported  that  they  had  two  beneficiaries  under  their  care,  and 
that  "  other  pious  youth  were  intending  to  apply  as  soon  as 
opportunity  should  be  presented." 

June  14,  1819,  the  Trustees  of  the  Erie  Literary  Society 
appointed  a  committee  of  two,  with  discretionary  power  to  sell 
the  real  estate  of  the  Corporation,  or  to  lease  it  for  a  term  not 
exceeding  ninety-nine  years. 

Also,  a  committee  to  collect  and  appropriate  funds  for  th  e 


236  The    Plan    OP    Union. 

completion  of  the  building,  so  that  a  school  might  be  com- 
menced by  the  first  Monday  of  November,  1819.  Also,  a 
committee  to  prepare  rules  and  a  course  of  education  for  the 
school.  The  course  of  study  adopted,  comprised  Reading, 
Writing,  Arithmetic,  Grammar,  Geography,  Elocution,  Logic, 
Belles  Lettres,  Latin,  Greek,  Mathematics,  and  any  other 
branches  usually  taught  in  the  Literary  Institutions  of  New 
England."  Textbooks  were  prescribed;  and  it  was  specified 
that  the  Principal  should  be  a  graduate  of  some  American 
College. 

The  dedication  of  the  building  was  appointed  to  take  place 
on  the  second  Tuesday  of  November,  1819.  Rev.  J.  Seward 
was  requested  to  preach  a  sermon  upon  the  occasion. 

April  11,  1821.  The  committee  were  instructed  to  employ 
Mr.  David  Coe  as  Principal.  Thus,  at  last,  the  institution  was 
fairly  started. 

But  the  Burton  School  did  not  long  flourish.  The  place 
soon  obtained  the  reputation  of  being  sickly;  and  this,  with 
rival  claims  that  started  up  in  other  places,  and  various  other 
causes,  contributed  to  operate  against  it,  and  eventually  to  di- 
vert the  funds  of  the  Corporation  to  another  place. 

In  1822,  a  movement  was  started  which  eventually  resulted 
in  the  founding  of  the  Western  Reserve  College,  at  Hudson. 
The  following  account  of  this  movement  is  extracted  from  a 
report  presented  by  Mr.  Seward,  in  behalf  of  the  Trustees  of 
the  College,  in  1835  : 

In  January,  1822,  a  communication  from  Rev.  Mr.  Bayley,  of  New 
Castle,  Maine,  upon  the  importance  of  a  united  effort  by  the  minis- 
ters in  this  region  (the  Reserve)   to  establish  an  institution  for  the 


Educational    Institutions.  237 

purpose  of  educating  pious  young  men  as  pastors  for  our  destitute 
churches,  was  laid  before  a  meeting  of  ministers  belonging  to  the 
Presbyteries  of  Grand  River  and  Portage,  which  bodies  included  the 
whole  of  the  Reserve,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  townships  in  the 
south  part  of  Trumbull  County.  The  members  of  the  meeting,  after 
mature  deliberation,  resolved  to  embrace  the  first  opportunity  for  pre- 
senting the  subject  to  their  respective  Presbyteries.  The  business 
was  presented  to  each  of  the  Presbyteries  at  their  next  stated  meet- 
ing ;  and  resulted  in  the  appointment  of  a  joint  committee,  consisting, 
from  the  Grand  River  Presbytery,  of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  G.  H.  Cowles, 
and  H.  Coe,  with  George  Swift,  Esq.,  and  from  Portage  Presbytery, 
of  Rev.  Messrs.  J.  Seward,  J.  Treat,  and  Elizur  Wright,  Esq. 

This  committee  was  directed  to  meet  at  Warren,  Trumbull  Co.,  on 
the  16th  of  April,  1822,  to  devise  ways  and  means  for  establishing  on 
the  Connecticut  Western  Reserve,  a  Literary  and  Theological  Institu- 
tion. The  afternoon  of  the  day  preceding  the  meeting  of  this  com- 
mittee, was,  by  the  recommendation  of  the  Presbyteries,  observed  as 
a  concert  of  prayer  by  the  churches,  that  the  blessing  of  God  might 
attend  their  deliberations  and  lead  to  a  happy  result.  Thus  did  the 
Presbyteries  take  hold  of  this  business,  and  at  the  same  time  take 
hold  of  the  arm  that  moves  the  universe. 

At  the  joint  meeting  of  the  Presbyteries,  on  the  30th  of  the  same 
month,  the  report  of  this  committee  was  adopted,  and  a  Board  of 
Managers  of  the  Education  Fund,  consisting  of  four  from  each  Pres- 
bytery, was  immediately  appointed.  Exertions  were  made  to  raise 
funds,  and  several  pious  young  men  were  soon  taken  under  the  pat- 
ronage of  the  Board. 

After  about  two  years,  it  became  evident  that  measures  must  be 
taken  to  fix  on  a  plan  for  the  permanent  location  of  the  contemplated 
Institution. 

During  this  time  the  Presbytery  of  Huron  was  organized,  covering 
the  four  Western  Counties  on  the  Reserve.  To  preserve  harmony 
among  the  ministers  and  chuixhes,  and  as  far  as  practicable  give  gen- 


238  The    Plan    of   Union. 

real  satisfaction,  it  was  recommended  to  each  of  the  three  Presbyte- 
ries, to  appoint  four  commissioners,  to  constitnte  a  Board  to  locate 
the  Institution.  This  was  accordingly  done,  and  the  following  were 
appointed,  viz :  by  the  Presbytery  of  Grand  River,  G.  H.  Cowles, 
Harvey  Coe,  A.  Oriswold,  and  E.  Austin,  Jr.;  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Portage,  John  Seward,  Joseph  Treat,  Lemuel  Porter,  and  J.  H.  Whit- 
tlesey ;  by  the  Huron  Presbytery,  A.  H.  Betts,  L.  B.  Sullivan,  S. 
Cowles,  and  D.  Gibbs. 

This  Board  attended  several  meetings  at  different  places,  on  the 
business  for  which  they  were  appointed. 

Of  course  much  feeling  and  anxiety  were  exhibited  by  dif- 
ferent towns  to  secure  the  College.  Burton,  Aurora,  Euclid, 
Cleveland  and  Hudson  were  prominent  amongst  the  competi- 
tors. "  It  was  found  difficult,  at  so  early  a  period  in  the  set- 
tlement of  the  country,  to  fix  upon  the  most  eligible  spot." 

Finally,  however,  ''  at  the  last  meeting  of  the  Board,  which 
was  held  at  Euclid,  in  January,  1825,  they  decided  to  locate 
the  Institution  at  Hudson,  Portage  Co.,"  in  consideration  both 
of  the  liberal  donation  of  lands  by  Esquire  Hudson,  and  the 
supposed  favorableness  of  that  locality  for  such  an  Institution. 
Having  made  this  decision,  they  mounted  their  horses,  rode  to 
Hudson,  selected  the  site,  and  drove  a  stake  on  College  Hill, 
to  the  joy  of  the  Hudsonians,  and  the  mortification  of  some 
other  people. 

''  After  the  location  of]  the  College,  the  business  of  the  In- 
stitution went  into  the  hands  of  twelve  persons,  four  of  whom 
were  appointed  by  each  of  the  three  Presbyteries  then  existing 
on  the  Reserve.  These  persons  were  thenceforth  denominated 
The  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Western  Reserve  College.  In 
1826,  they  were  incorporated  by  the  Legislature,  and  held  their 


Educational   Institutions.  289 

first  meeting  under  the  Charter,  on  the  first  of  March,  1826." 
The  corner  stone  of  the  first  College  edifice  was  laid  oa 
Wednesday,  the  26th  of  April,  1826. 

The  Trustees,  elected  in  1826,  were  David  Hudson,  Elizur 
Wright,  J.  B.  Sherwood,  Rev.  J.  Seward,  Rev.  C.  Pitkin, 
Hon.  H.  Brown,  Rev.  S.  Woodrufi",  Zalmon  Fitch,  Rev.  B. 
Fenn,  Harmon  Kingsbury,  George  Swift,  S.  I.  Bradstreet  and 
Rev.  H.  Coe. 

The  first  permanent  College  Professor  was  the  Rev.  C.  B. 
Storrs,  elected  Professor  of  Christian  Theology,  March  2, 
1828,  and  inducted  into  the  office  on  the  third  of  December 
following.  Previous  to  this,  "about  twenty  istudents  had  been 
collected  under  the  care  and  instruction  of  a  Tutor.  From 
the  time  of  Mr.  Storrs'  connection  with  it,  the  institution,  un- 
der his  judicious  and  energetic  management,  advanced  more 
rapidly." 

In  October,  1828,  the  Trustees  of  the  Burton  Academy 
transferred  the  endowment  of  that  Institution  to  the  College, 
and  the  endowment  was  constantly  enlarged  by  donations,  so- 
licited for  the  most  part  by  the  agent,  Rev.  C.  Pitkin. 

On  the  25th  of  August,  1830,  Mr.  Storrs  was  elected  Pres- 
ident of  the  Institution,  and  inaugurated  February  9,  1831. 
The  duties  of  this  responsible  station  he  discharged  with  great 
fidelity  and  success  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the 
15th  of  September,  1833.  This  was  a  severe  blow  to  the  In- 
stitution, coming  at  a  time  when  other  difficulties  were  already 
gathering  around  it. 

It  was  from  the  beginning,  the  determination  of  the  Trus- 
tees to  make  the  Institution  one  of  the  very  highest  order  in 


240  The    Plan    of    Union. 

literary  and  scientific  instruction ;  and  to  exclude  from  it  all 
political  or  sectarian  peculiarities.  They  were  determined 
never  to  mount  a  popular  hobby  in  order  to  gain  notoriety  and 
favor.  This  policy,  the  only  true  policy  upon  which  to  found 
an  institution  of  the  kind,  they  have  ever  firmly  adhered  to, 
but  not  without  great  trials  and  opposition. 

When  the  exciting  anti-slavery  controversy  began  upon  the 
Reserve,  it  could  not  but  happen  that  an  institution  which  as- 
sumed a  neutral  position,  and  confined  itself  to  its  appropriate 
duties,  should  be  regarded  with  jealousy  by  excited  controver- 
sialists. Nor  could  men  of  a  single  idea,  and  crazy  upon  that, 
understand  how  those,  who  had  the  culture  and  training  of  the 
young,  could  be  guiltless  of  slavery,  and  gag  law,  and  suppres- 
sion of  the  truth,  if  they  did  not  introduce  abolitionism  as  a  car- 
dinal element  into  their  course  of  instruction.  Hence  arose  a 
violent  agitation,  in  opposition  to  the  College,  which  resulted 
in  breaking  up  the  Faculty,  alienating  the  excitable  portion  of 
the  ultra  anti-slavery  element  of  the  Reserve,  and  circulating 
many  false  and  injurious  statements  relative  to  the  manage- 
ment of  the  Institution. 

The  manual-labor  system  was  adopted  and  maintained  for 
several  years,  at  Hudson ;  proving,  as  in  most  other  cases,  a 
sinking  business,  and  a  failure. 

The  primary  object  of  the  Institution  was  to  educate  young 
men  for  the  ministry.  Hence  the  early  appointment  of  a  Pro- 
fessor of  Theology,  and  the  early  establishment  of  a  complete 
Faculty  of  Divinity. 

Yet,  the  liberal  minded  founders  of  the  Institution  aimed 
at  no  merely  partial,  professional  system  of  education;  but, 


Educational    Institutions.  241 

with  a  careful  regard  for  all  the  intellectual  interests  of  society, 
determined  to  afford  facilities  for  the  most  thorough,  men- 
tal culture,  and  discipline  of  all  the  faculties  of  the  mind. 
The  course  of  instruction  adopted  in  the  Collegiate  department 
was  substantially  the  same  with  that  of  the  best  eastern  Col- 
leges. The  classics,  and  higher  mathematics,  as  well  as  the 
natural  sciences,  have  always  received  strict  attention  and  tho- 
rough study.  While  at  the  same  time,  it  has  been  the  aim  to 
exert  such  moral  and  religious  influences  over  the  students  as 
should  fit  them  for  the  highest  usefulness  and  honor  both  for 
time  and  eternity. 

In  1834,  Rev.  George  E.  Pierce,  D.  J).,  was  inaugurated  as 
President  of  the  Institution,  and  entered  upon  his  duties  with 
such  vigor,  perseverance,  and  large  views,  as  rapidly  advanced 
it,  in  both  its  literary  interests  and  material  resources. 

Yale  College  was  the  model  upon  which  the  President  and 
his  co-laborers  aimed  to  form  the  growing  Institution,  and  no 
efforts  nor  expense  were  spared  to  realize,  as  fast  as  possible, 
the  high  ideal. 

Within  a  few  years  the  curriculum  was  brought  up  to  the 
Yale  standard,  and  a  Faculty  secured,  which,  for  thorough 
scholarship  and  professional  ability,  has  probably  never  been 
equaled  by  any  other  western  Institution.  In  his  choice  of 
Professors,  the  President  exhibited  a  sagacity  and  success  un- 
surpassed. At  the  same  time,  the  most  vigorous  efforts  were 
prosecuted  to  secure  an  endowment  adequate  to  support  the 
Faculty  employed.  In  this  enterprise.  President  Pierce  la- 
bored long,  and  with  a  patient  fortitude  and  self-denial  seldom 
equaled.     And  though,  from  the  nature  of  the  case,  success 


242  The    Plan    oi'    Union. 

came  slowly,  the  project  was  not  abiuidoned  until  pledges  were 
secured  adequate  to  place  the  Institution  upon  an  independent 
and  efficient  basis. 

But  while  this  effort  was  in  progress,  it  was  only  by  the 
greatest  self-denial  and  difficulty  that  the  Institution  was  en- 
abled to  hold  upon  its  way.  Seldom  have  pioneers  in  any  en- 
terprise experienced  severer  trials  and  privations  than  the 
members  of  that  Faculty. 

In  order  to  secure  an  endowment  and  sustain  the  Professors, 
the  President  was  compelled  to  do  what  no  President  of  such 
an  Institution  ought  to  do,  become  a  financial  agent,  and  de- 
vote himself  mainly  to  out-door  work.  This  President  Pierce 
did,  with  praiseworthy  self-denial,  yet  greatly  to  his  own  detri- 
ment. For  in  this  way  he  became  known  to  the  peeple  chiefly 
as  a  solicitor  of  funds,  and  was  necessarily  almost  a  stranger  to 
the  students,  and  so  failed  of  the  affection  and  s}  mpathy  which 
would  have  been  secured,  could  he  have  devoted  himself  to  his 
appropriate  functions. 

Nor  was  it  strange  that  the  Professors  living  so  long  upon 
half  rations,  with  tempting  offers  before  them,  from  eastern 
Institutions,  should  at  length  have  grown  restive. 

Other  causes  may  also  have  operated  to  produce  that  most 
unfortunate  alienation  among  the  Faculty,  Trustees,  and,  at 
length,  friends  generally  of  the  Institution,  which,  at  the  very 
moment  when  the  endowment  was  considered  secured,  scat- 
tered the  Faculty  and  students,  caused  the  suspension  of  the 
Theological  Seminary,  and  well  nigh  broke  up  the  College. 

As  in  all  similar  difficulties,  there  were  true  friends  of  the 
Institution  on  each  side,  and  errors  on  each  side.     And  we 


F  D  U  C  A  T  I  0  N  A  L     INSTITUTIONS.  243 

are  now  only  interested  to  know  that  the  controversy  is  ended, 
and  that  the  Institution  again  gives  promise  of  being  what  it 
should  be.  President  Pierce  retired  in  1855,  recommending, 
with  his  usual  sagacity,  a  successor  who  enjoys  the  confidence 
and  respect  of  all.  President  II.  L.  Hitchcock,  D.  D.,  finds  the 
Institution  in  much  better  condition  than  did  his  predecessor. 
May  he  succeed  in  completing  the  structure  for  which  so 
broad  a  foundation  has  been  laid.  President  Pierce  will  be 
remembered  with  gratitude  and  respect,  for  his  successful  ef- 
forts in  securing  an  endowment  and  a  first  class  literary  re- 
putation for  the  Institution.  The  large  classes  of  thorough 
students  graduated  between  the  years  1840  and  1850,  are 
standing  indices  of  the  high  character  and  position  which  the 
College  assumed  during  his  administration. 

Western  Reserve  College,  like  all  valuable  products,  and 
institutions  that  aim  to  elevate  and  form  public  sentiment, 
rather  than  pander  to  popular  prejudices,  grows  slowly  and 
amid  difficulties.  But  its  course  is  upward ;  and  when  other 
fast  institutions  shall  be  viewed  according  to  their  true  merits, 
in  the  light  of  a  higher  general  culture,  this  will  more  and 
more  be  esteemed  and  resorted  to  by  those  who  seek  thorough 
and  compressive  education. 

The  following  statistics  show  the  porgress  of  the  College 
during  President  Pierce's  administration  : 
The  Catalogue  of  1835  showed  a  President,  four  Professors  and  one 

Tutor. 

Faculty.    Theol  Stud'ts.     Seniors.       Juniors.    Sophomores.     Freshmen. 
1835  G  3  5  8  7  14 

1842  11  20  9  13  16  19 

1848  12  22  13  17  13  14 


244  The    Plan    or    Union. 

The  whole  number  of  Alumni  in  1848,  was  153 ;  and  of  these,  43 
had  entered  the  ministry. 

An  efficient  Preparatory  Department  or  Classical  Academy  has  also 
been  constantly  maintained. 

A  Medical  Department  was  also  organized  at  Cleveland,  in  1844, 
which  yearly  graduates  very  large  classes. 

OBERLIN  COLLEGIATE   INSTITUTE. 

The  Hudson  Institution  was  the  offspring  and  organ  of  the 
Churches  embraced  in  the  Plan  of  Union. 

The  dissenting  and  radical  Congregationalists  of  the  region, 
also  originated  an  Institution  to  represent  their  peculiar  views 
of  theology,  education  and  social  philosophy.  In  this  effort, 
they  were  much  more  successful  than  in  the  establishment 
of  ecclesiastical  bodies ;  yet,  by  dividing  the  educational  inter- 
ests, resources  and  sympathies  of  the  Reserve,  they  caused  two 
half  fed  institutions  to  struggle  for  a  subsistence,  where  there 
should  have  been  one,  efficient  and  well  endowed. 

The  principal  agent  in  establishing  the  new  Institute,  was 
the  Rev.  J.  Shipherd.  Five  hundred  acres  of  land  were  con- 
ditionally pledged  for  the  Institution,  by  Messrs.  Street  and 
Hughes,  of  New  Haven,  Conn.  Upon  this  land  the  College 
buildings  now  stand. 

In  the  winter  of  1832,  a  voluntary  Board  of  Trustees  held 
their  first  meeting,  in  a  small  Indian  encampment,  upon  the 
chosen  site,  which  was  otherwise  a  dense,  unbroken  forest. 
The  land  was  level  and  wet,  almost  inaccessible  by  roads,  and 
the  prospect  for  a  settlement  forbidding  in  the  extreme. 

"  The  requisite  surveys  having  been  made,  the  first  tree  was 
felled  March  15,  1833,  by  P.  P.  Pease.     April  3,  he  came  on 


Educational    Institutions.  245 

with  two  iiiou.  Ax  iu  hand,  they  cut  a  road  for  their  ox- 
wagon,  throiiuh  the  forest,  fixed  their  home  on  the  south-east 
corner  of  the  public  square,  leaned  some  boards  upon  a  pole, 
resting  upon  forked  posts,  built  their  watch  fires,  and  here, 
surrounded  by  owls  and  wolves,  they  spent  their  nights."  A 
cabin  was  soon  built,  into  which  Mr.  Pease  moved  his  family; 
and  thus  began  the  Oberlin  Colony. 

The  name,  Oberlin,  was  adopted  from  regard  to  the  memory 
of  Rev.  J.  F.  Oberlin,  a  benevolent  minister  of  Waldbach, 
Switzerland,  who  died  in  1826. 

Other  families  soon  arrived,  zealous  to  engage  in  the  work 
of  building  up  the  new  Institution.  Religious  services  and  a 
Sabbath  School  were,  at  first,  held  under  the  trees,  upon  the 
spot  where  the  Church  now  stands. 

Oberlin  Hall  was  erected  during  the  first  summer,  and  in 
December,  1883,  a  school  was  opened  by  a  Mr.  Scoville,  from 
the  Western  Reserve  College,  having  forty  scholars. 

A  Charter,  with  University  privileges,  was  obtained  in  the 
winter  of  1883-4.  Permanent  instructors  arrived  in  May  fol- 
lowing. They  were,  Professors  Waldo  and  Dascomb,  and  Mr. 
Daniel  Branch,  with  their  wives.  President  Mahan  came  in 
the  Spring  of  1835 ;  in  June  of  the  same  year.  Professors 
Finney  and  Morgan,  and,  later.  Professor  Cowles.  The  first 
College  class  was  organized  in  October,  1834,  consisting  of 
four  members ;  this  class  grew  to  twenty-eight,  who  graduated 
in  1838.  In  1835,  an  advanced  class  of  four  members  en- 
tered, who  graduated  in  1837.  The  year  1835  was  one  of 
great  en)ar<rement.  The  buildings  were  hurried  forward  un- 
der great  difficulties,  and  at  great  expense. 
21^ 


246  The    Plan    op    Union. 

The  character  and  peculiarities  of  the  Institute  may  be 
gathered,  in  part,  from  the  fnllowing  published  statement  of 

THE   OBJECTS   OP   THE    INSTITUTION. 

1.  To  educate  youths  of  both  sexes,  so  as  to  secure  the  development 
of  a  strong  mind  in  a  sound  body,  cnnoected  with  a  permanent,  vigor- 
ous, progressive  piety  ;  all  to  be  aided  by  a  judicious  system  of  manual 
labor. 

2.  To  beget  and  to  confirm  in  the  process  of  education,  the  habit  of 
self-denial,  patient  endurance,  a  chastened  moral  courage,  and  a  de- 
vout consecration  of  the  whole  being  to  God,  in  seeking  the  best  good 
of  man. 

3.  To  establish  universal  liberty  by  the  abolition  of  every  form  of 
sin. 

4.  To  avoid  the  debasing  association  of  the  heathen  classics,  and 
make  the  Bible  a  text  book  in  all  the  departments  of  education. 

5.  To  raise  up  a  church  and  ministers  who  shall  be  known  and  read 
of  all  men,  in  deep  sympathy  with  Christ,  in  holy  living,  and  in  effi- 
cient action  against  all  which  God  forbids. 

6.  To  furnish  a  Seminary,  affording  thorough  instruction  in  all  the 
branches  of  an  education  for  both  sexes,  and  in  which  colored  persons, 
of  poth  sexes,  shall  be  freely  admitted,  and  on  terms  of  equality  and 
brotherhood. 

The  Institution,  planted  upon  this  basis,  soon  became  the 
peculiar  favorite  of  a  large  class  of  people,  and  the  object  of 
distrust,  grief  and  abhorrence  to  another  class. 

Taking  a  prominent  position  in  the  varied  social  reforms 
that  occupied  the  public  attention,  and  particularly  in  the 
anti-slavery  agitation;  and  at  the  same  time  making  very 
prominent  some  doctrinal  peculiarities  that  are  rejected  by 
most  of  the  Presbyterians  and  Congregationalists  of  the  coun- 


Educational   Institutions.  247 

try  ;  and  assuming  an  aggressive  attitude  tow£vd  tbe  chu'-  -lies 
in  connection  with  the  Presbyteries  of  the  Reserve,  which  led 
in  many  cases  to  divisions  and  strife;  it  was  not  strange  that 
Oberlin  soon  attained  a  very  extended  notoriety.  The  con- 
ceited Young  Americanism  of  the  students,  most  of  whom 
went  abroad  as  imitators  of  the  leading  Professors,  and  zeal- 
ous propagandists  of  their  sentiments;  Graham  dietetics;  and 
the  poculiar  respect  shown  to  negroes,  added  to  their  notoriety. 

The  opposition  made  to  the  Greek  and  Latin  Classics,  and 
the  consequent  light  esteem  in  which  those  languages  were 
held,  at  one  time  came  nigh  destroying  the  Institute,  by  a 
withdrawal  of  its  Charter.  But  it  is  believed  that  the  radical 
and  eccentric  features  of  the  Institution,  have  been  considera- 
bly modified.  That  it  has  accomplished  very  much  for  popu- 
lar education  cannot  be  doubted ;  though  it  is  questioned 
whether  the  students  have  generally  attained  that  thorough 
mental  discipline  which  a  College  should  afford. 

It  has  been  called  the  ''  People's  College ;"  and  it  is  such, 
in  that  it  has  entered  largely  into  the  sympathies,  and  brought 
itself  down  to  the  sentiments,  and  intellectual  standards,  of 
the  community.  And  there  can  be  no  question,  that  this  is 
the  way  to  secure  speedy  popularity  in  a  western  settlement. 
Probably  Oberlin  is,  on  the  whole,  the  best  exponent  of  crude, 
western  society,  that  has  yet  appeared.  It  is  a  perfectly  in- 
digenous product  of  the  Reserve;  and  could  not  fail  to  be 
popular  with  the  masses,  particularly  the  radical  portion,  and 
those  who  desire  cheap  education. 

But  is  it  the  true  mission  of  a  College  to  popularize  educa- 
tion ;  or  to  lower  itself  to  the  sentiments  of  a  new  and  half- 


248  The    Plan    op    Union. 

formed  i^ociety  ?  Is  it  not  rathtsr  the  object  of  such  institu- 
ti'-ns  to  erect  a  beacon,  high  above  common  standards,  and  to 
endeavor  to  raise  the  s'entiments  and  educational  standards  of 
the  masses?  Is  a  popularity  desirable  for  such  an  institution, 
which  is  won  and  held  by  sectarian,  sectional,  social,  political, 
or  merely  Theological  peculiarities,  and  not  by  its  known  abil- 
ity and  facilities  for  securing  the  very  highest  mental  disci- 
pline, and  literary  and  scientific  attainments? 

Acknowledging,  therefore,  the  success  of  Oberlin,  in  win- 
ning popular  favor,  and  doing  much  for  the  education  of  the 
youth  of  our  c<Hintry;  and  admiring,  also,  the  liberal  senti- 
ments and  high  moral  tone  of  its  Trustees  and  Faculty;  ap- 
proving, moreover,  the  philanthropic  spirit  manifested  for  the 
colored  portion  of  our  citizens  •  the  historian  can  not  but  re- 
gret that  they  have  not  maintained  a  higher  standard  of  intel- 
lectual culture;  and  that  they  have  made  their  social,  denomi- 
national, and  political  peculiarities  so  prominent  as  to  alienate 
most  of  the  wholesome,  conservative  portion  of  society ;  and 
have  sent  forth  so  many  conceited  and  noisy  declaimers,  and 
so  few  thoroughly  educated,  substantial,  working  scholars. 

At  the  same  time,  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  as  society 
improves,  the  policy  of  the  Institution  and  its  constituents  will 
be  favorably  modified  ;  indeed  this  has  already  been  done  to  a 
very  encouraging  extent.  We  will  therefore  rather  hope  for 
what  is  to  be  done,  than  complain  of  what  is  not  yet  done. 

It  can  not  be  regarded  as  otherwise  than  unfortunate  that 
two  Colleges  should  have  been  started  so  near  together,  and 
the  feeble  energies  and  limited  resources  of  the  friends  of 
sound  education,  have  been  divided ;  and  thus  two  weak  and 


Educational    Institutions.  24ft 

crippled  institutions  have  been  nursed  along,  instead  of  one 
strong  and  well  sustained  College,  that  might  have  done  far 
more  than  many  weak  ones. 

Will  sects  and  parties  and  partizans  ever  learn  to  consult 
the  true  interests  of  society,  and  exercise  that  mutual  charity 
and  concession,  without  which  there  can  be  no  eifective  co- 
operation and  true  progress  in  any  of  the  great  interests  of 
our  race  ? 

Oberlin,  as  well  as  Hudson,  has  secured,  of  late,  a  comforta- 
ble endowment,  and  we  may  hope  will  be  still  more  liberally 
patronized.  There  is,  however,  this  difficulty :  the  endowment 
obtained  has  been  secured  by  selling  scholarships  at  so  low  a 
rate,  that  it  is  to  be  feared  the  number  of  students  will  greatly 
exceed  the  facilities  for  instruction,  necessitating  either  too 
large  classes,  and  inferior  instruction,  or  the  employment  of 
more  instructors  than  the  endowment  will  support. 

The  plan  of  raising  endowments,  by  the  sale  of  scholarships, 
seems  to  be  a  necessary  evil  in  founding  Colleges  in  new  coun- 
tries. But  the  evil  ought  to  be  always  reduced  as  much  aa 
possible,  by  putting  the  permanent  scholarships  high  enough 
to  prevent  the  Institution  from  being  burdened,  and  the  value 
of  the  instruction  neutralized  by  an  excessive  influx  of  nom- 
paying  students. 

The  number  of  students  at  Oberlin  has  always  been  large, 
particularly  in  the  primary  and  preparatory  departments,  and 
the  female  Seminary.  The  number  of  graduates  and  advanced 
students,  has  been  fair,  though  small  compared  with  the  whole 
number  on  the  Catalogue.  The  following  statistics,  as  also 
many  of  the  preceding  statements,  are  taken  from  an  article  in 
the  Oberlin  Evangelist,  published  in  1853  : 


250  The    Plan    of    Union- 

The  first  Theological  classes  were  formed  in   1835.      They  "were 
Senior  and  Junior,  thirty-five  students. 

The  whole  number  of  diiferent  students  from  the  beginning  is 

Young  women 2,163 

Young  men 3,310 


5,473 
Of  these,  137  completed  a  Theological  course,  230  a  College  course, 
109  the  Ladies'  course.     Thirty-two  ladies  have  graduated  from  Col- 
lege.    Of  these,  the  first  entered  in  1837.     Three  graduated  in  1841. 
The  proportion  of  ladies  has  been  increasing  since  the  second  year. 
The  ratio  is  as  follows : 

1834 37  per  cent.         I        1339 33  per  cent. 

1835 26       "  I        1843 37       " 

1836 30       "  1848 40       " 

1838 42       ''  I        1852 45    ^'• 

Of  those  who  have  completed  a  com-se  of  study,  there  have  died  — 

Theological  students 11 

College 14 

Ladies'  Course 7 

College  Ladies 2 

Of  College  graduates,  128  out  of  198  have  entered  the  ministry,  or 
are  now  studying  for  it,  being  sixty -five  per  cent. 

Twenty -two  are  Professors  in  Colleges  or  Principals  in  High  Schools. 
Eleven  have  entered  the  profession  of  law,  or  are  preparing  for  it. 
Seven  are  medical  practitioners  or  students. 

Of  the  thirty-two  Ladies  who  graduated  from  College,  all  are  mar- 
ried but  five.  Of  these  four  are  teachers,  and  one  a  public  lecturer. 
They  are  the  more  recent  graduates. 

Of  the  married,  nineteen  married  ministers  ;  three,  teachers ;  two, 
physicians ;  one,  an  artist,  and  one  a  farmer. 

Of  the  Board  of  Instruction,  there  have  been  twenty-nine  holding 
permanent  appointments.  Twelve  of  these  are  now  on  the  ground. 
All  are  living  except  two  —  Prof.  Cochran  and  Mrs.  Cowles.  These 
died  after  leaving  their  posts. 


jE  ij  u  (  A  T I  o  N  A  L    Institutions.  251 

Twenty  out  of  the  twenty-nine  pursued  a  part  or  the  whole  of  the 
cour.se  of  study  here.  This  is  true  of  eight  out  of  twelve  of  the  pres- 
ent incumbents. 

The  Trustees  arc. regularly  twelve  in  number,  besides  the  President 
of  the  College.  These  have  numbered  thirty-seven.  Four  deceased. 
Three  of  these  were  members  of  the  original  Board. 

Thus  have  we  traced  the  growth  of  the  Prcsbyterial  and  Con- 
gregational Church  of  the  lleserve,  till,  with  half  a  century's 
growth,  it  has  developed  all  the  institutions  and  fair  fruits  of 
a  mature  society. 

The  stranger  who  speeds  along  our  many  Eailroads,  and 
notes  the  numerous  villages,  each  with  church  spires  point- 
ing heavenward,  as  exponents  of  the  faith  of  an  enterprising 
Christian  people ;  who  notices  the  thrifty  farms  and  numerous 
evidences  of  comfort  and  wealth  and  culture,  will  find  it  dij£- 
cult  to  realize,  that  half  a  century  ago,  a  few  immigrants  were 
here  struggling  with  poverty,  wild  beasts,  and  savages,  in 
dreary  wildernesses :  and  Christians,  contemplating  the  amaz- 
ing changes  of  the  time,  despite  all  that  we  have  found  to 
regret,  can  but  exclaim  —  "  The  Lord  hath  done  great  things 
for  us,  whereof  we  are  glad." 


CHAPTER  VII 


BENEVOLENT   OPERATIONS. 

MISSIONARY   SOCIETY   OF    CONNECTICUT. 

We  have  seen  that  the  work  of  planting  churches  and  sup- 
porting missionaries  on  the  Western  Reserve,  was  begun  and 
prosecuted  mainly  by  the  Missionary  Society  of  Connecticut. 
That  Society  conducted  its  benevolent  operations  for  many 
years,  without  having  any  of  its  officers,  or  any  auxiliary  or- 
ganization in  Ohio.  But  in  February,  1826,  in  accordance 
with  a  recommendation  of  the  Trustees,  the  missionaries  upon 
the  Reserve  met  at  Aurora,  and  organized  themselves  into  an 
auxiliary  Board,  '■'■  for  the  purpose  of  reducing  to  system,  di- 
recting and  superintending  the  missionary  operations  of  the 
Reserve."  Mr.  Seward  was  appointed  President  and  Mr. 
Hanford  Secretary  of  the  organization. 

The  Reserve  was  then  divided  into  three  districts,  in  each 
of  which  was  a  district  Board,  whose  duty  it  was  to  superin- 
tend the  missionary  operations  of  the  district,  receive  quar- 
terly reports  from  all  the  missionaries  within  it,  and  report  to 
the  general  Board.  A  committee  of  six,  twc  from  each  dis- 
trict, were  appointed  to  act  during  the  recesses  of  the  Board. 

(252) 


Benevolent   Operations.  253 

This  general  Board  were,  moreover,  to  act  only  aa  the  agents 
of  the  Trustees  of  the  xMissionary  Suciet}'  of  Connecticut,  re- 
porting annually  to  them,  and  seeking  counsel  and  co-operation 
from  them,  relative  to  all  important  business. 

This  plan  worked  successfully  for  a  few  years,  but  in  1831 
considerable  dissatisfaction  appeared  in  certain  quarters,  and  it 
began  to  appear  that  a  general  Board,  composed  of  all  the 
missionaries,  could  no  longer  acceptably  superintend  the  work. 
In  January,  1832,  Mr.  Hanford  resigned  the  office  of  Secre- 
tary to  the  Board ;  in  September  following,  Mr.  Seward  re- 
signed that  of  President.  Rev.  Myron  Tracy  was  appointed 
Secretary,  and  Bev.  G.  H.  Cowles,  President. 

The  proposition  was  now  entertained  of  appointing  a  Board 
of  Directors  to  superintend  the  operations  of  the  Society,  but 
it  was  difficult  to  determine  who  should  appoint  them.  The 
Trustees  referred  the  appointment  to  the  missionaries,  some  of 
them  advocated  the  appointment  of  the  Directors  by  the  Synod 
of  the  Western  Reserve,  others  objected,  and  finally  the  Board 
referred  the  matter  back  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Society  of 
Connecticut. 

The  matter  was  satisfactorily  adjusted  in  October,  1834, 
when  *'  the  Synod,  at  the  request  of  the  Missionary  Society  of 
Connecticut,  appointed  six  ministers  and  three  laymen,  to  su- 
perintend the  operations  of  the  Society  on  the  Western  Re- 
serve.'^ 

At   their  first   meeting,   the   Directors    appointed   Rev.  J. 

Treat,  President,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Tracy,  Secretary  of  the  Board. 

At  the  request  of  the  Directors  tht  Trustees  forwarded  a  series 

of  rules  or  instructions  to  the  Board,  which,  with  some  addi- 

22 


254  The    Plan    or    Union. 

tions  suggested  by  themselves,  formed  the  basis  of  their  action 
ever  afterward. 

Under  this  policy,  the  Society  quietly  and  efficiently  prose- 
cuted its  mission,  aiding  feeble  churches  so  far  as  applied,  to, 
within  the  limits  of  $1,800,  until  the  year  1843,  when  the 
amount  was  reduced  to  $1,200  per  year. 

The  operations  of  the  Home  Missionary  Society,  however, 
became  so  extensive  upon  this  field,  that  in  1851  the  Trustees 
intimated  a  purpose  to  cease  operations  upon  the  Reserve,  as 
soon  as  the  way  should  be  clear,  and  expend  their  means  upon 
more  destitute  fields,  further  west.  This  design  was  executed 
in  1853. 

We  take  an  affectionate  farewell  of  the  Society  that  planted 
and  nurtured  the  church  of  the  Reserve,  extending  its  foster- 
ing aid  over  more  than  half  a  century  of  her  history. 

AMERICAN   HOME   MISSIONARY   SOCIETY. 

In  1824,  a  society  was  organized  to  conduct  Home  Mission- 
ary operations  upon  the  territory  covered  by  the  Western  Re- 
serye  Synod,  which  embraced  Northern  Ohio  and  Michigan.  It 
was  called  the  Western  Reserve  Domestic  Missionary  Society. 

In  1830,  this  Society  catered  into  co-operation  with  the 
American  Home  Missionary  Society,  which  had  been  organ- 
ized in  1826.  The  Rev.  Daniel  W.  Lathrop,  who  was  Secre- 
tary of  the  Western  Reserve  Domestic  Missionary  Society,  was 
also  appointed  agent  of  the  American  Home  Missionary  So- 
ciety, and  efficiently  conducted  the  Home  Missionary  opera- 
tions of  the  region  for  several  years. 

In  the  year  1830,  over  fourteen  hundred  dollars  were  col- 


Benevolent    Operations.  25 

lected  .mil  eight  Mission.irie^  su^^taine  1  by  this  brinch  Society; 
and  forty-six  additional  Missiouuries  were  supported  by  the 
American  Home  Missionary  Society. 

The  next  agent  of  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society, 
was  Rev.  O.  P.  Hoyt,  who  afterward  took  that  part  of  the  field 
included  in  Michigan,  when  a  separate  agency  was  established 
for  that  State. 

Rev.  W.  F.  Curry  succeeded  Mr.  Hnyt,  in  the  Reserve 
Agency,  occupying  this  field  from  1839  to  1841. 

The  ecclesiastical  difficuhies  that  arose  between  1834  and 
1840,  and  the  organization  of  other  Missionary  Boards,  greatly 
interfered  with  and  retarded  the  operations  of  the  American 
Home  Missionary  Society. 

Rev.  Myron  Tracy  first  began  to  labor  as  Secretary  of  the 
American  Home  Missionary  Society  in  1842,  and  as  solicitmg 
agent  in  1843.  His  first  Report,  for  the  year  1842,  shows 
that  the  receipts  were  only  five  hundred  and  eighty  dollars. 
This  was  partly  the  result  of  an  experiment  to  do  without  a 
travelling  and  soliciting  agent.  During  the  last  six  months  of 
that  experiment,  only  one  hundred  dollars  were  received  from 
the  whole  Western  Reserve.  The  Society  then  requested  Mr. 
Tracy  to  visit  the  churches,  as  far  as  possible,  and  the  result  of 
the  first  year's  efi'ort  was  over  two  thousand  dollars. 

Under  Mr.  Tracy's  judicious  and  indefatigable  labors,  the 
receipts  of  the  Society  from  this  field,  gradually  increased  from 
year  to  year,  until  1854,  the  last  of  Mr.  Tracy's  agency,  when 
the  collections  for  this  cause  amounted  to  between  five  and  six 
thousand  dollars.  Considering  the  adverse  influences  brought 
to  bear  against  the  American  Hame  Missionary  Society,  by 


256  The    Plan    of    Union. 

what  is  called  the  "  Free  Mission"  Advocates,  the  above  result 
is  most  gratifying  •  and  speaks  volumes  both  for  the  Society's 
hold  upon  the  churcheSj  and  for  Mr.  Tracy,  its  devoted  and 
successful  agent. 

Mr.  Tracy  literally  wore  himself  out  in  this  service.  He 
resigned  his  agency  January  1,  1855;  and  died,  beloved  and 
lamented,  March  27,  1855. 

The  American  Missionary  Society,  which  represents  what 
we  may  call  Missionary  '^  Come-outerism,"  has  operated^  to 
some  extent  upon  this  field,  particularly  amongst  the  more 
ultra  anti-slavery  communities;  but  to  what  extent,  the  writer 
is  not  informed. 

The  greater  part  of  the  churches  can  not  be  alienated  from 
the  American  Home  Missionary  Society,  either  by  **  Young 
Presbyterianism,''  or  "  Young  Congregationalism,^'  or  rabid 
Abolitionism. 

WESTERN   RESERVE   BRANCH   OF    THE   AMERICAN   EDUCATION 
SOCIETY. 

The  American  Education  Society  was  organized  in  the  year 
1815,  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  pious  young  men  in  their  pre- 
paration for  the  ministry.  This  was  done  by  donations  to  the 
amount  of  seventy  dollars  per  year,  until  1826,  when  the  So- 
ciety adopted  the  principle  of  loaning  the  same  amount  with- 
out interest,  payable  after  entering  the  ministry,  if  circum- 
stances should  permit. 

In  October,  1829,  the  "Western  Reserve  Branch  of  the 
American  Education  Society,  was  organized ;  and  the  resolu- 
tionadopted  to  support  all  the  Beneficiaries  of  the  Reserve 


Benevolent  Operations.  257 

without  drawing  upon  the  Parent  Society.  Through  the  ef- 
efforts  of  Rev.  Ansel  R.  Clark,  as  agont  of  the  general  Society, 
a  very  successful  beginning  was  made. 

Six  applicants,  students  in  the  Western  Reserve  College, 
received  aid  the  first  year,  and  collections  were  made  to  the 
amount  of  $1,208  in  cash,  eighty  dollars  in  obligations,  and 
large  pledges  of  future  contributions. 

The  effort  met  with  great  favor  amongst  the  churches,  as 
appears  from  the  fact  that  about  thirty  "  auxiliary,  female 
sewing  societies"  were  formed,  and  several  auxih'ary  agricul- 
tural societies.  The  sewing  societies  did  much  in  the  way  of 
furnishing  clothing  and  bedding  to  indigent  students. 

A  very  efficient  auxiliary  was  organized  in  Michigan  in  1830, 
which  contributed  liberally  for  several  years  to  the  funds  of  the 
Western  Reserve  Branch. 

Mr.  Clarke  retiring  from  his  agency  at  the  close  of  the  year, 
the  experiment  was  tried,  in  1831,  of  working  without  an 
agent ;  the  result  was  a  reduction  of  contributions  to  $858 ;  in 
view  of  which,  Mr.  Clarke  was  prevailed  upon  to  return  again 
to  the  work.  For  the  next  four  years,  from  '32  to  '36,  the 
Society  prospered  in  all  its  interests;  the  contributions  rapidly 
increased,  and  the  number  of  young  men  aided  was  constantly 
enlarged;  until  in  1835,  the  sum  collected  amounted  to 
$3,682 ;  and  the  number  of  young  men  aided  was  forty- four. 

The  results  of  Mr.  Clarke's  efforts  in  seeking  out  and  en- 
couraging pious  young  men  to  study  for  the  ministry,  were 
very  gratifying;  and  the  impulse  given  to  the  general  cause 
by  his  energetic  labors,  was  felt  sever-^l  years  after  his  agency 
terminated. 

22* 


258  The   Plan    of    Union. 

The  failure  of  his  health  compelled  Mr.  Clarke  to  retire  from 
the  service  of  the  Society  at  the  close  of  1835. 

During  1836,  although  the  number  of  the  beneficiaries  in- 
creased to  62,  on  account  of  there  being  no  agent  in  the  field, 
the  contributions  fell  from  $3,682  to  $1,529. 

In  1837,  the  number  of  beneficiaries  in  this  field  rose  to 
99.  In  the  Spring  of  1837,  Rev.  Charles  A.  Boardman  en- 
tered upon  an  agency  in  behalf  of  the  Society ;  and  in  Septem- 
ber following,  the  treasurer  reported,  at  the  annual  meeting, 
$3,750  received  during  the  preceding  year. 

The  Society  afterwards  employed  Rev.  D.  C.  Blood  to  act  as 
its  agent,  and  continued  to  prosper  both  in  collecting  students 
for  the  ministry  and  funds  for  their  support,  so  long  as  his 
agency  was  continued. 

In  1842,  however,  through  some  bad  policy,  a  determination 
was  formed  to  dispense  with  a  regular  agent ;  and  the  Society 
soon  declined,  and  became  at  length  virtually  defunct.  The 
consequences  have  been  disastrous.  The  Theological  Semi- 
nary dwindled ;  and  at  present,  almost  nothing  is  done  upon 
this  field  for  the  cause  of  Ministerial  Education.  The  church- 
es are  now  only  beginning  to  reap  the  rewards  of  this  negli- 
eence.  But  they  will  yearly  feel,  more  and  more,  the  misfor- 
tune of  importing  ministers,  and  leaving  their  native  vintage 
uncultivated.  An  indigenous,  native  ministry  is  a  first  neces- 
sity in  every  Christian  community ;  and  it  can  only  be  secured 
by  working  specifically  for  its  production. 

One  of  the  most  pressing  duties  now  resting  upon  the  Re- 
serve Churches,  is  that  of  a  vigorous,  persevering  effort  to 
oUect  students  for  the  ministry  and  funds  for  their  support. 


Benevolent  Operations.  259 

And  all  precedent  proves  that  this  cause,  like  every  other, 
to  prosper,  must  have  its  agent,  or  pastor,  whose  time,  talents 
and  labors  shall  be  exclusively  devoted  to  the  work.  That 
miserly  economy,  which  repudiates  salaried  agents,  is  simply 
suicidal, 

WESTERN   RESERVE   AGENCY   OF    THE    AMERICAN     BOARD   01 
COMMISSIONERS   FOR   FOREIGN    MISSIONS. 

Some  of  the  early  Missionaries  upon  the  Western  Reserve, 
were  persons  who  had  once  seriously  thought  of  going  into 
the  Foreign  field ;  and  several  of  them  were  much  interested 
in  the  foreign  enterprize.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  the  churches 
began  to  get  somewhat  independent,  they  turned  their  atten- 
tion to  regions  more  destitute,  and  began  to  send  little  contri- 
butions to  the  Foreign  as  well  as  the  Domestic  Board  of  Mis- 
sions. Considerable  donations  of  provision,  clothing  and  cattle 
were  made  to  the  Indian  Mission  on  the  Maumee. 

As  early  as  1831  or  1832,  Rev.  Mr.  Treat,  of  Windham, 
made  efforts  for  systematic  contributions  in  Portage  County; 
and  in  1833,  the  Western  Reserve  Synod  '*  resolved  itself  into 
a  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  and  made  arrangements  to  have 
an  anniversary  and  an  annual  report  at  each  annual  meeting 
of  the  Synod."  Rev.  H.  Coe  entered  into  the  work  as  agent 
for  the  cause  at  that  time,  devoting  his  whole  time  and 
strength  to  the  work.  His  field  embraced,  for  many  years, 
Northern  Ohio  and  Michigan ;  and  considering  the  compara- 
tive infancy  of  the  churches,  and  the  numerous  other  objects 
of  Christian  charity  to  which  they  contributed,  the  foreign 
cause  has  received  liberal  patronage.     Two  thousand  dollars 


260  The  Plan  OF  Union. 

were  collected  during  the  first  year  of  Mr.  Coe's  agency ;  and 
the  contributions  have  been  yearly  increasing,  till  now  they 
reach  nearly  eight  thousand  dollars;  although  Michigan  has 
been  for  several  years  separated  and  managed  by  a  distinct 
agency.  Notwithstanding  the  necessities  of  the  Home  field, 
many  ministers  have  also  gone  out  from  the  Reserve  into  va- 
rious parts  of  the  world,  so  that  our  churches  are  represented 
in  almost  every  pagan  nation  where  the  American  Board  has 
commenced  operations.  The  diligent  and  devoted  labors  of 
the  Agent,  and  his  earnest  appeals  in  behalf  of  pagan  nations, 
contributed  greatly  to  create  and  increase  a  missionary  spirit  in 
the  churches,  and  to  direct  the  attention  of  pious  young  men 
to  the  wants  and  woes  of  the  Heathen. 

Several  adverse  influences  have  been  brought  to  bear  against 
the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions, 
in  this  region;  and  have  probably  somewhat  reduced  its  con- 
tributions ;  though  the  agent  and  friends  of  the  cause  have 
ever  been  able  say  —  "  They  that  be  for  us  are  more  than  they 
that  be  against  us.'' 

Many  have  opposed  and  decried  the  support  of  an  agent, 
and  endeavored  to  throw  reproach  upon  the  Society  for  incur- 
ring that  expense.  All  experience,  however,  as  well  as  rea- 
son, indicates  that  no  great  and  good  cause  can  flourish  and  be 
well  sustained  without  its  special  advocates.  The  Missionary 
cause  needs  its  pastor  as  well  as  each  local  church ;  and  proba- 
bly no  class  of  men  do  more  to  diff'use  information,  arouse  the 
churches  to  liberal  enterprize,  and  keep  up  the  tone  of  pipty  in 
them,  than  the  advocates  of  our  benevolent  Societies.  When 
we  look  over  the  world  and  see  what  the  American  Board  or 


Benevolent  Operations.  261 

Commiasioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  and  kindred  Societies  Lave 
accomplished,  and  reflect  upon  the  fact  that  most  of  the  means 
necessary  for  this  great  work  have  been  raised  by  agents,  and 
that  many  of  the  Missionaries  were  stimulated  by  their  appeals 
to  go  forth  and  carry  the  Gospel  to  the  benighted,  it  becomes 
a  matter  of  thanksgiving  to  God  that  there  are  laborious  men 
willing  to  incur  the  unpleasant  and  thankless  task  of  soliciting 
funds  and  managing  the  business  which  falls  to  an  agent;  for 
without  their  efforts  the  work  would  not  be  done. 

The  extreme  anti-slavery  sentiment  of  the  day  has  also  been 
tried  against  the  Society,  and,  in  some  quarters,  with  effect. 
Those  who  can  appreciate  no  means  of  reform  that  do  not 
consist  largely  in  deunciation,  excision  and  the  Pharisaical 
"  stand  aloof,  I  am  holier  than  thou ! "  those  whose  con- 
sciences are  so  tender  that  they  can  not  cast  their  mite  into 
a  box  where  a  Southern  dollar  may  have  fallen,  lest  it  should 
be  polluted,  when  the  box  belongs  to  the  Lord's  treasury,  (al- 
beit they  have  no  such  scruple  about  using  Southern  coin  and 
products  for  their  own  emolument;)  and  those  who  would  re- 
form the  South  and  free  the  slaves,  by  withdrawing  from  them 
the  missionary,  and  withholding  the  Gospel,  and  leaving  self- 
ishness and  tyranny  to  work  unrestrained;  such  nominal  anti- 
slavery  men  have  decried  the  American  Board  of  Commission- 
ers for  Foreign  Missions  as  pro-slavery,  and  sought  thereby  to 
cripple  it.  Intelligent  and  liberal  minded  anti-slavery  men, 
however,  discover  in  this  Gospel-giving  Society  one  of  the 
great  agents  that  is  efficiently  working  for  the  overthrow  of 
all  tyranny  and  oppression,  both  civil  and  spiritual,  by  diffus- 
ing the  Gospel  of  Christ  and  turning  some  of  the  capital  that 


262  The    Plan    of    Union. 

would  Otherwise  be  employed  to  increase  oppressi(^n,  into  be- 
neficent, redeeming  enterprizes,  for  the  evangelization  of  both 
bond  and  free. 

And  it  argues  well  for  the  liberal  and  charitable  spirit  of  the 
body  of  our  churches,  that  notwithstanding  all  the  outcry  and 
counter  organizations,  and  special  pleading  against  the  Ameri- 
can Board,  they  are  taking  it  closer  to  their  hearts,  and  yearly 
increasing  their  donations  to  its  funds. 

Extensive  patronage  has  also  been  secured  from  this  field 
for  the  American  Tract  Society,  and  other  leading  beneficent 
institutions,  usually  patronized  by  the  Presbyterian  and  Con- 
gregational Churches;  respecting  which  nothing  is  here  said. 
Probably  no  part  of  the  Western  Country,  representing  the 
same  amount  of  capital,  has  done  more  for  benevolent  objects 
during  the  last  twenty-five  years,  than  the  Western  Reserve. 


953.  £1 


COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITY 
III' II I 


0035520132 


.JJ 


4 


6RI7TLE  DO  NOT' 
PHOTOCOPY 


